The sublime Slow Eastbound Train, released in 2015, took Herskedal’s international profile to new heights. He toured extensively throughout Europe and Japan, culminating in a 26min commission from the BBC Concert Orchestra, performed at London Jazz Festival 2016.
A strong Arabic influence runs throughout The Roc, which has its roots in inspiring trips Herskedal made to Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Themes of place and travelling are ever-present, as they were on Slow Eastbound Train.
The titles of some of the compositions originate from the names of scales (Kurd, Bayat, Nahawand To Kurd) and rhythms (Thuraaya) used in them; others from Arabic sayings (There Are Three Things You Cannot Hide; Love, Smoke And A Man Riding On A Camel) and places that inspired the musicians (Hijaz Train Station). The title of the LP itself is a reference to the great bird of pan-Asian mythology.
01. The Seeds of Language 4:46
02. The Roc 5:28
03. Eternal Sunshine Creates A Desert 4:19
04. Kurd, Bayat, Nahawand To Kurd 4:46
05. Hijaz Train Station 3:20
06. Thurayya Railways 6:31
07. The Afrit 3:22
08. There Are Three Things You Cannot Hide; Love, Smoke And A Man Riding On A Camel 5:01
09. The Krøderen Line 5:52
10. All That Has Happened, Happened As Fate Willed 4:50
All music by Daniel Herskedal
Daniel Herskedal - tuba and bass trumpet
Bergmund Waal Skaslien - viola
Svante Henryson - cello
Eyolf Dale - piano
Helge Andreas Norbakken - percussion
