Sometimes it is the first light of a cold winter day, sun rays entering the sleeping room, sometimes it is a kiss in the morning, or the last picture of a dream. It may be the first sound of a record, or the first sentence of a thrilling novel. It may be the first time in your life you hear a beautiful record from the 70’s (and you’re asking yourself: why the fuck did it take so long?). Or it is a little philosophical essay full of fine observations that trigger unforeseen thoughts.
„As always“, says Norwegian pianist Jon Balke, „the more you explore and discover, the further you want to go, and things are not so simple anymore. It’s a very interesting process.“ On Feb. 12th, his new solo album Warp will be released, and according to the rules of probability, Gregs, Joey, Rosato and Michael will be listening to that work of excellence on the same weekend.
What begins as a gently exploratory solo piano album gradually acquires an almost hallucinatory aspect. Warp will surely receive great reviews in international music magazines, online and print. The mix of piano and carefully constructed sound images is a peculiar delight. What are the images about? Is it the infamous „cinematic“ element, or much more subliminal?
I digress: in February, you’ll be entering a time capsule here: a collection of antiques & curiosities, of old black and white movies, a late echo of the Rastafari movement in the hills of Jamaica, 50’s noir (an encounter with Richard Widmark), 60’s psychedelia with young Robert Wyatt, 70’s praise of birdsong (Bert Jansch). Further explorations of „minimal winter music“. Time for the unexpected.