Country : United Kingdom Label : International Anthem Genres and styles : Ambient / Celtic / Contemporary Jazz Year : 2020

To Cy & Lee : Instrumentals Vol. 1

· by Steve Naud

Alabaster DePlume? Behind the name is Angus Fairbain, an odd duck, saxophonist and activist. In order to make him known on this side of the Atlantic, the good people of the  International Anthem label had the idea of compiling the instrumental pieces that were scattered all over his first albums, released on various small British labels. Without the composer’s words, the political dimension of his work is absent. So let’s focus on the music.

The iconoclastic character draws his inspiration from various sources: Ethio-jazz, Celtic and Japanese folklore, music for video games… Another influence mentioned by DePlume is the work he did in a centre for disabled people, including Cy and Lee, to whom the album title refers. He played music with them, to help them to socialize and communicate. These sessions were recorded and served as background material for some of the tracks on this collection, which also includes two new compositions.

From the very first notes of the album, one gets caught up in the sounds DePlume knows how to coax out of his saxophone. It evokes Albert Ayler’s characteristic vibrato, as much as Charles Lloyd for his silky breath. The famous DJ Gilles Peterson and saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings (Sons of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming) have rightly praised his playing.

From one end of the album to the other, matters progress without hurry through a flossy realm, to the rhythm of strings, flutes and keyboards that judiciously accompany DePlume’s saxophone.  His various influences blend naturally and create an ageless music that warms the heart.

Latest 360 Content

Piknik Elektronic | Nadim Maghzal, Laylit Co-Founder : MTL Middle East Arabic Electronic Refinement, Pleasure, Fun!

Piknik Elektronic | Nadim Maghzal, Laylit Co-Founder : MTL Middle East Arabic Electronic Refinement, Pleasure, Fun!

Suoni | Sanam, Beirut’s Eloquence on The Brink of Danger

Suoni | Sanam, Beirut’s Eloquence on The Brink of Danger

Francos | Honoring Slam With Grand Corps Malade

Francos | Honoring Slam With Grand Corps Malade

Orford Musique | A Common Thread: Beethoven

Orford Musique | A Common Thread: Beethoven

Suoni | Watch that ends the night records Quinton Barnes + Jason Doell & Naomi McCarroll-Butler + Liam Cole + Alex “Bad Baby” Lukashevsky

Suoni | Watch that ends the night records Quinton Barnes + Jason Doell & Naomi McCarroll-Butler + Liam Cole + Alex “Bad Baby” Lukashevsky

Francos | A Montreal 1st for Emma Peters

Francos | A Montreal 1st for Emma Peters

Suoni | My Thursday at the Suoni: Alex Lukashevsky, Cabaret Noir…

Suoni | My Thursday at the Suoni: Alex Lukashevsky, Cabaret Noir…

My musical garage: interview with Ziya Tabassian for the 11th edition of Garage Concerts

My musical garage: interview with Ziya Tabassian for the 11th edition of Garage Concerts

Suoni | Chik White and Ky Brooks raise their voices (but not Jessica Ackerley)

Suoni | Chik White and Ky Brooks raise their voices (but not Jessica Ackerley)

Francos| A Heatwave for Tiken Jah Fakoly

Francos| A Heatwave for Tiken Jah Fakoly

Francos | Ariane Roy’s Rock Aura

Francos | Ariane Roy’s Rock Aura

Beirut – A Study of Losses

Beirut – A Study of Losses

Orchestroll – Corrosiv

Orchestroll – Corrosiv

CODE Quartet – CODE Red

CODE Quartet – CODE Red

Fragments – Delta City

Fragments – Delta City

BØL – Where Glitter Goes

BØL – Where Glitter Goes

Kallisto – Live in Montreal

Kallisto – Live in Montreal

Kent Nagano; Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg – Brahms : Symphonies nos 3 & 4

Kent Nagano; Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg – Brahms : Symphonies nos 3 & 4

Canadian Guitar Quartet – Empty Houses

Canadian Guitar Quartet – Empty Houses

Francos | SAT on Fire for Theodora, Soon To Be Megastar

Francos | SAT on Fire for Theodora, Soon To Be Megastar

Pachyman – Another Place

Pachyman – Another Place

Francos | Ponteix: The Wandering Karkwadian?

Francos | Ponteix: The Wandering Karkwadian?

Subscribe to our newsletter