“Invisible Cities”, the first collaboration between AIDAN BAKER (NADJA, B/B/S) and bass clarinetist GARETH DAVIS (OISEAUX-TEMPÊTE), offers finest ambient / chamber jazz / subtle drones of a highly meditative quality.
Be it solo, as member of the drone duo NADJA or B/B/S (his trio with ANDREA BELFI and ERIK SKODVIN / SVARTE GREINER) or in various collaborations with artists like TIM HECKER or THISQUIETARMY: the Berlin-based Canadian is one of the most productive and versatile artists when it’s about postrock, drone or ambient and without doubt a true master on his instrument, the guitar. In recent years BAKER also started exploring new grounds as a composer of contemporary / ensemble music – e.g. his composition "An Instance Of Rising" was commissioned by SPÓŁDZIELNIA MUZYCZNA CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE and SACRUM PROFANUM FESTIVAL for their 2017 edition. “Invisible Cities” marks BAKER’s first collaboration with GARETH DAVIS whose eclectic oeuvre spans contemporary classical, free improvisation and orchestral music through to rock, noise and electronica. The bass clarinetist is a steady member of the critically acclaimed post-rock formation OISEAUX-TEMPÊTE and A-SUN AMISSA, interpreted compositions by ALVIN LUCIER with MACHINEFABRIEK, worked with BERNHARD LANG and PETER ABLINGER, performed with musicians like NY Downtown veteran ELLIOTT SHARP, MERZBOW or ROBIN RIMBAUD (aka SCANNER) and realized multimedia work with artists including CHRISTIAN MARCLAY and PETER GREENAWAY.
Recorded in November 2016 at MUZIEKHUIS, Utrecht, the four tracks create a calm, even meditative atmosphere in their reduced manner that gives much room to the individual instruments / sounds, occasionally spiced up by field recordings that intensify the overall chamber jazz / ambient moods.
supported by 13 fans who also own “Invisible Cities”
I thought for a long time to find the right words to describe this release, but I cannot without sounding too cheezy: It's overwhelming, a great concept on working with classical instruments in such a way. Without a doubt a role model for similar music! Goldsaftbube
supported by 12 fans who also own “Invisible Cities”
It's an album that makes you think, forget, feel and cry.
This is what music is about, making you feel things.
Absolute must for anyone that wants to get into experimental music. nheuro
C. Diab describes “Exit Rumination” as “a sonic exorcism,” and its dark, swelling songs are equal parts catharsis and tension. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 26, 2018
Dreamy, graceful ambient from Shanghai-via-Dublin composer Steve McCourt, completely devoid of drums but still awash in rhythm.
Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 6, 2021