Light and shadow. For time immemorial humankind has pondered over these two states. Whether as metaphorical representations of the struggle between good and evil or simply on a more scientific and fundamental level. The region of shadow that is cast over the Earth from the Moon in an eclipse is known as an Umbra, and it is this most apt of terms that saxophonist Nicholas Whittaker chose for the title of his debut solo album.
Recorded over the course of a year after completing the third studio outing, ‘Arc’, with his Prog/Psych group Diagonal, ‘Umbra’ has afforded Whittaker the opportunity to further explore the spacious and meditative soundscapes he helped create in his work on the ambient ‘Irian Jaya’ LP with Alex Crispin.
‘Umbra’ is bookended by the long, spiralling sax lines of ‘Lofoten Dance’ part 1 and 2. Set against a backdrop of sparse bass and wandering African thumb piano, its sonic space perfectly evokes the isolated splendour of the Norwegian archipelago it was inspired by and in many ways the still, mysterious atmosphere that is witnessed during a solar eclipse.
Some of the most beautiful moments of light reside within ‘Caraval’ and ‘Sacral’. The former, a joyous major key drone that blissfully meanders along complemented by a panoply of percussion that has echoes of Popul Vuh at their most ecstatic. The latter is a wonderful expression of serene contemplation based around a simple, ascending two note synthesiser figure that conjures up some of the best ambient works of the ECM catalogue.
Further musical exploration of shadow is represented by the formidable power of ‘Qamar’, whose finale is replete with prayer bells and tribal percussion, bolstered by Whittaker’s multi-part vocal harmonies over a bed of droning synth and ethnic wind instruments - drawing comparisons to the cinematic work of saxophonist Colin Stetson.
Further notable use of vocals is to be found as the album’s centrepiece: ‘Folded Sun’. A deep slice of Kosmiche beauty propelled by Diagonal bandmate Luke Foster’s cyclical drumming, the result is akin to something that Robert Wyatt, Hawkwind and NEU! may have concocted if they had triple booked the same recording studio.
Light and Shadow, Ying and Yang, Good and Evil, this album skilfully explores the tension found in between.
credits
released September 18, 2020
Nicholas Whittaker・Alto & Soprano saxophone, Clarinet, Duduk, Electric guitar, Flute, Hulusi, Kalimba, Penny whistles, Percussion, Recorder, Synthesiser, Vocals
Luke Foster・Drums (4), Percussion (2 & 6), Synthesiser (6) ⋯ James Howarth・Bass guitar (1, 4 & 7) ⋯ Lisa Watt・Vocals (2)
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