”Aigéan” is Lemur’s follow-up of the acclaimed debut ”IIIIIIII” from 2008. Continuing their work to develop an improvised chamber music with an emphasis on sonic experimentation and ensemble character, the ensemble delivers a darker and more fragile album. More open to explore the particulars in each piece, the ensemble seems to strengthen their sound and delivers a truly insisting and strongly crafted album.
Lemur has found their position as one of Europe’s truly original improvising ensembles. The four instrumentalists combine their work from classic composition, noise, chamber music and free jazz making a highly surprising and unique blend of contemporary sound and attitude. Since their first performances in 2006 the ensemble has done a series of tours in Scandinavia, Europe and Asia – to great acclaim.
Recorded in Grieghallen by Davide Bertolini
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Mixed by Davide Bertolini and Bjørnar Habbestad.
Produced by Bjørnar Habbestad.
Mastered by Jørgen Træen.
Lemurs album “IIIIIII” is a document from their debut tour: recorded in one session at Grieghallen Studio and presented in its original order. These seven tracks portrays an ensemble on the edge of defining a new sound and their musical identity.
Throughout the tracks, the four musicians unite as one sound-generating body, manipulating their instruments into making sounds one would believe to be electronic. The result is a music defying old or new aesthetics, but instead searching for the ultimate sound experience using these exact instrument in the hands of these particular musicians.
Although making a clear contrast to “the northern sound” of Norwegian jazz – “IIIIIII” brings beautiful soundscapes side by side with frantic phrasing and inspired solo playing.
Recorded in Grieghallen Studio by Davide Bertolini.
Mixed by Bjørnar Habbestad at Steens Offset.
Mastered by Bjørnar Habbestad and John Hegre at Duper Studio.
All photos by Anna-Julia Granberg // BLUNDERBUSS
Plateslipp og konsert
Majorstuen kirke
Lørdag 5. mars kl 14.00
Mellom 2007 og 2012 utforska Lemur kyrkjekonserten som format gjennom konsertar i Tyskland, Storbritannia og Norge. Kyrkjerommet sin særeigne akustikk var både inspirasjon og utfordring: Korleis utnytte dei klanglege kvalitetane i eit kyrkjerom? Korleis presentere abstrakt kunstmusikk i eit religiøst lada rom? Dette langsiktige arbeidet leda fram til plata “Parish of Lemur” og urframføringa av den stedsspesifikke komposisjonen Critical Band i Nidarosdomen.
På plata er tre av disse kyrkjene representerte:
Hamar Domkirke,
Nidarosdomen og
Grefsen kirke.
Simply an immense album.
It is obvious that the quartet is influenced by electronic music also in the acoustical context. In this sense they create a new chambermusic and they do this absolutely brilliant.
The seven highly interesting and very different tracks are fragilely and inspiredly played. They have a curiously dark tension but are at the same time clear and never amorph. Highly recommended.
Not boring for a second and recommended without any reservations.