We are beyond thrilled to present the latest from South African drummer / cultural worker / organizer Asher Gamedze. I'm sure many of you are familiar with his incredible debut Dialectic Soul (On The Corner, 2020) or his work with Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood, and we're happy to unveil another side of Gamedze's work with out side work | two duets.
out side work | two duets is a very literal album as the album features Gamedze in a conversation of sorts, a recording made more for the enjoyment of playing together rather than being planned as a release. Quite literally, the record consists of two improvised duets, one with fellow Brothahood member Xristian Espinoza (who's artwork graces the cover and insert of the record as well) and one with Alan Bishop (Sun City Girls, Alvarius B., Sublime Frequencies).
As Gamedze mentions in the liner notes, this is "Free time" - both in terms of the music itself and the multi-directional possibilities that each duo aspires toward. This record wasn't made to capitalize on anything, it focuses instead on those out side moments of possibility: music on the other side of Time.
One of the things that makes Gamedze so unique is how his playing is both conversational but also slyly lifts up those around him. His writing and playing on Dialectic Soul drove the group behind the album, and the same can be said here on out side work | two duets. Xristian Espinoza & Alan Bishop shine, painting, stretching and conversing with Time. Whilst channeling a playful urgency, their ideas unfurl with an unhurried and patient logic. All in real time, free time, out side of time, and that is truly what makes this album an amazing new statement from Gamedze, Espinoza & Bishop, furthering what each has done and will do long into the future.
ASHER GAMEDZE ON out side work | two duets
1. (with xristian): robbing the clock
2. (with xtristian): robbing the clock (EXCERPT)
3. (with alan): wild cats strike
4. (with alan) wild cat strike (EXCERPT)
tenor saxophone and percussion on 'robbing the clock': xristian espinoza
alto saxophone and voice on 'wild cat strike': alan bishop
drum kit on both sides: asher gamedze
