Country : Québec Canada Label : Indépendant Genres and styles : Ambient / Contemporary / Downtempo / Electronic / jazz groove / Minimalist / Post-Rock Year : 2022

Architek – 6 Changes

· by Frédéric Cardin

Architek is a quartet of percussionists from the “McGill stable”, prolific in both quantity and quality. Founded in 2012, the ensemble has commissioned, performed, and premiered dozens of important contemporary works by such luminaries as Nicole Lizée, Jason Sharp, Kevin Volans, George Aperghis, Lukas Ligeti and Nico Muhly. But after a decade of ‘traditional’ scholarly repertoire, here is an album that marks a radical shift: 6 Changes is the creative showcase of one of the ensemble’s founding members, Ben Duinker. All the compositions on the album are his. The sound palette, mellow, polished, and minimalist in phraseology, is also imbued with colours and sonic gestures picked from the gardens of electronica and post-rock. It’s not surprising to find oneself bathed in atmospheres reminiscent of the Sound of Montreal (Suuns, Patrick Watson) as well as a certain urban jazz (E.S.T) and international names such as Tortoise or Steve Reich. This syncretism is made hyper-warm by the minor tonal anchorage of most of the pieces. The most demanding of new music fans will perhaps find reproach them in the lack of harmonic and instrumental asperities and the resulting softness of the effect (especially when compared to the band’s past repertoire), but in so doing Architek will probably reach a wider audience, one with a background in ambient electronica, chill groove and medium/downtempo music. Very nice and even addictive. 

Latest 360 Content

Montreal Anti Jazz Police Festival – Day 2

Montreal Anti Jazz Police Festival – Day 2

Shaina Hayes and her Kindergarten Heart

Shaina Hayes and her Kindergarten Heart

David Binney – In The Arms Of Light

David Binney – In The Arms Of Light

Chauffeur et Parlak – “The Napoli Run”

Chauffeur et Parlak – “The Napoli Run”

Arlo Parks’ infectious, festive melancholy at the Beanfield.

Arlo Parks’ infectious, festive melancholy at the Beanfield.

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

Charles Lloyd – The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow

Montreal Anti-Jazz Police Festival at URSA – Day 1

Montreal Anti-Jazz Police Festival at URSA – Day 1

Piano Symphonique | Julia Mirzoev, Braden McConnell & Antoine Rivard-Landry

Piano Symphonique | Julia Mirzoev, Braden McConnell & Antoine Rivard-Landry

Single of the Day: Magick Brother & Mystic Sister “The Hierophant”

Single of the Day: Magick Brother & Mystic Sister “The Hierophant”

The Bolokos – feat. Fanswa Ladrezeau – Kouté Pou Tann

The Bolokos – feat. Fanswa Ladrezeau – Kouté Pou Tann

Real Farmer – Compare What’s There

Real Farmer – Compare What’s There

Simon Leoza – ACTE III

Simon Leoza – ACTE III

Opera McGill Presents Semele: An Ambitious Evening with the Gods

Opera McGill Presents Semele: An Ambitious Evening with the Gods

In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats Experience Strives for Human Connection through VR

In Pursuit Of Repetitive Beats Experience Strives for Human Connection through VR

Daymé Arocena – Alkemi

Daymé Arocena – Alkemi

Extra Time – Where Is The Light

Extra Time – Where Is The Light

Martha Wainwright about her new jazz festival

Martha Wainwright about her new jazz festival

Félix Dubé Trio – Impermanence

Félix Dubé Trio – Impermanence

Thomas Dybdahl – Teenage Astronauts

Thomas Dybdahl – Teenage Astronauts

Buzhold – What It Meant?

Buzhold – What It Meant?

Yoo Doo Right – The Sacred Fuck EP

Yoo Doo Right – The Sacred Fuck EP

Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan

Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan

Subscribe to our newsletter