This is the third and last part of a trilogy of compositions with the generic title of “Invisible”.
Contrary to its title, “Invisible Moon” gives visibility to the musical construction, and reveals to the listener part of the secret of Aka Moon’s music.
Several aspects of the writing are developed and make up a gallery of portraits.
The instrumental formulae are clearly distinct and revisit some of the band’s previous experiences in one suite.
Certain aspects in particular emerge:
• Music for dance / ballet (Rosas : Anne Theresa De Keersmaeker) has left its traces in the compact construction.
• India is omnipresent, and reflects the enormous influance it has had on the band. This recording could not be complete without this flavour, and it is in India that much of the recording took place.
There the band invited local artists to enrich the basic composition with the “Tampura”, but also three violinists. And India, without the percussion of Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, would be for Aka Moon an aberration, especially when one knows the strength of their bond with the master.
Guitar and voice are also part of the mix, with other celebrated guests David Gilmore (who has often worked with Steve Coleman) and David Linx, whose voice and texts blend perfectly into this labyrinth of notes.
And then there is the finale, a link to contemporary music, a sort of extension of Satie, airy and intriguing.
Two pianos play, and Aka Moon gradually becomes invisible, while still present.
One piano is melodious and sensitive.
The second is surrealistic, letting out sounds from another world.
And on these last notes, as is usual with Aka Moon, it is perfectly feasable to imagine we are at the beginning of the second part of the trilogy, the beginning of “Invisible Sun”.
credits
released July 20, 2019
- Stéphane GALLAND (Drums)
- Michel HATZIGEORGIOU (Bass)
- Fabrizio CASSOL (Ato Saxophone)
- Fabian FIORINI (Piano)
- David GILMORE (Guitar)
- David LINX (Vocals)
- Benoît DELBECQ (Prepared Piano, Keyboards)
- Usha RAJAGOPALAN (Violin)
- V.V. RAVI (Violin)
- C.N. CHANDRASHEKAR (Violin)
- Umayalpuram K. SIVARAMAN (Mridamgam)
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