Sven B. Schreiber (sbs)
Phew, those "Berklee College of Music" graduates are fantastic! It's not the first time that one of them surprises me with an unusual high-quality release containing cleverly written original compositions. Before the final "flower" cover photo appeared here, there was a different shot showing Freyja Garbett on the beach with a "Nord Electro" keyboard, which sparked my interest immediately. This album shows what magic happens if you put a gifted Berklee graduate and a Nord into the same room...
Favorite track: Edu-k-shun.
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Art As Catharsis is proud to announce the release of Freyja Garbett’s debut record MAYA – a spectacular, immersive waltz through rich jazz laden soundscapes.
Garbett’s heady compositions draws influence from a vast range of styles and musicians. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, she lists pianists and composers such as Fred Hersch, Gerald Clayton and Maria Schneider as critical influences to her music, along with the likes of Flying Lotus, J Dilla and Snarky Puppy.
“The pieces from my debut album are an exploration of an electro-acoustic approach to jazz composition and improvisation,” begins Garbett. “These compositions are springboards for improvisation and creativity. An added element to my approach is that all of the musicians can manipulate their instrument’s sound drastically - the arrangements of the pieces can be expanded on, therefore creating ambient textures of the studio produced music that I listen to. On stage, we have the facility to offer audiences a fiery multi-dimensional performance.”
Previously sharing both performances and recordings with artists in the New York and Boston scenes – including Dave Fiuczynski’s Planet MicroJam, Garbett’s recent accolades include a commission by SIMA and APRA AMCOS to compose and perform with the Sydney Women’s Jazz Collective at the 2017 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival.
Garbett’s compositions are rich, mature and immersive – serving as a foreword to a long and promising career – and have already opened up exciting opportunities for the group come 2020.
credits
released November 7, 2019
Recorded between March and September 2019, at Free Energy Device Studios, Sydney
Produced by Freyja Garbett, Matt Keegan, Richard Belkner and Niall Cameron
Recorded and mixed by Richard Belkner
Assistant engineers Niall Cameron and Jules Goyen
Mastering by Michael Lynch
All compositions by Freyja Garbett, except Maya (By Freyja and Nish Manjunath). Lyrics in ‘Sharks Need Love’ by Tim Kent and ltl Gzeus.
Photography & graphic design by Tim Kent
Freyja Garbett - piano/rhodes/organ/synths
Felix Lalanne - Guitar
Simon Ferenci - Trumpet
Nish Manjunath - Tenor saxophone
Michael Avgenicos - Tenor saxophone
Jacques Emery - Electric and double bass
Alexander Inman- Islop - Drums
Jesse Ciampa - Percussion
Erin Badman (Esmé) - vocals
George Thomas (Ltl Gzeus) - vocals
First I would like to thank the wonderful musicians on this album: Nish, Felix, Simon, Michael, Alex, Jacques, Jesse, Erin and ltl Gzeus. Also the contribution and care I received from Richie Belkner, Niall Cameron, Jules Goyen and Freddie the dog at FED studios. It was a wonderful learning experience. Thank you also to Art as Catharsis and Lachlan Dale for supporting such an eclectic array of Australian music.
This album is dedicated to my Mum Kerry, my Dad Peter, my Brother Nick and my partner Nish for their endless support and love in all of my musical endeavors.
Hashshashin's music is a bold fusion of sound and style, excitingly blending power with finesse to create sounds from another world. Urgent compositions possessing thunderous speed are swiftly countered by moody passages where darkness lies – each track attracts with unique attributes. Michael Reilly
I absolutely love the highly energetic mix of rock middle-eastern traditional music. This one is especially good. it instantly sucks you into it's story and tells you a wonderful and exhilarating tale. heraldofennui
I imagine a ceasefire as a lull, a quiet time, a moment of peace. But this tune sound like hope, excitement, and the possibility of freedom. andrew lorien