Label: Self Released
Source: Tom Aldrich
“Princes” is a cycle of pieces arranged for an electric quartet. The
music is a product of several years of analyzing my personal musical
influences, and each piece represents my take on a specific set of
models. The investigative listener can find hidden tributes to composers
such as (among others) Wayne Shorter, Henri Dutilleux, Trey Anastasio,
Maurice Ravel, Frank Zappa and David Shea. Taken together, all of the
models constitute what, on a basic level, I understand about musical
form. At the same time, I used the composing process as a way of working
out a personal approach to harmonic and modal theory, which has been a
focus of mine for many years.
In arranging the music, I decided on a stripped down approach inspired by the classic popular
instrumental groups of the 60’s and 70’s, as well as later developments
of this format. The elegant and earthy sound of Booker T. and the
M.G.’s was definitely a touchstone in this regard. I was also inspired
in this direction by acquiring a vintage Philipps Philicorda electric
organ, which I used throughout the composition and recording of this
music. I was very lucky to be joined on the recording by an intensely
talented and versatile group of musicians: Dutch new music stalwart Wiek
Hijmans(guitar), jazz guitar heavyweight Kurt Rosenwinkel (in an
appearance on bass), and the gifted and powerful young drummer Théo
Lanau. The result is a kind of personal testimony about my experiences
in the world of creative music, but also an organic whole which has a
personality beyond the influences that contributed to it.
1. Bar Island Picnic (Partially Cloudy) 02:58
2. Knitting on a Red Bull 04:40
3. The Elusive, Bespectacled Woman in the All Night Donut Shop 04:03
4. Middle Jump 09:44
5. Earth Extended 08:13
6. Hurry Up So I Can Catch Up 02:09
7. Aspirations 05:28
8. Flash-april 06:18
9. Binary Daydream 04:08
2. Knitting on a Red Bull 04:40
3. The Elusive, Bespectacled Woman in the All Night Donut Shop 04:03
4. Middle Jump 09:44
5. Earth Extended 08:13
6. Hurry Up So I Can Catch Up 02:09
7. Aspirations 05:28
8. Flash-april 06:18
9. Binary Daydream 04:08
Tom Aldrich, electric organ
Wiek Hijmans, guitar
Kurt Rosenwinkel, bass
Théo Lanau, drums
Wiek Hijmans, guitar
Kurt Rosenwinkel, bass
Théo Lanau, drums
