Landon Caldwell & Friends - More Unity (Atlantic Rhythms)

What Your Ears Say & The Cover Looks LIke

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What We Say

Unifier-in-chief Landon Caldwell stands tall in a cosmic vortex of swirling creative energy, philosophy & 21st century possibility - ensemble recordings from the Indianapolis freak music epicenter; remote solo recordings; physical; digital; improvisation; & composition, to conduct a stunning, spiritual jazz ambient odyssey worthy of the 20th century & whatever lies ahead.
Available from Atlantic Rhythms.

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What The Release Notes Say

For several years, composer Landon Caldwell has iterated on his ‘Unity’ concept. In essence, 'Unity' looks to composition as a spiritual realm for connection through time and space between different selves and different people. It tries to be everything; composition and improvisation, ensemble and solo, etc. ‘More Unity’ is a continuation of that pursuit and the latest iteration to manifest via Caldwell and an expanded ensemble of collaborators, including Patrick Shiroishi, Thom Nguyen, Yuri Osuka, Mark Tester, Drew Davis, Jordan Allen, and Nick Yeck-Stauffer.

Place and environment are central themes in Caldwell’s work, and Indianapolis has played a huge role in the artist’s approach to his compositions. ‘More Unity’ is about connection, physical and digital.

The album features two groups, Eternal Husk and Flower Head Ensemble. Eternal Husk tracks were improvised and recorded at State Street Pub, a place that is a cultural epicenter for the Indianapolis freak music community. Flower Head Ensemble was recorded using the Simultaneous System, a method where players recorded independent and ‘blind’ of the other players. The tracks are then cut up and rearranged into a composition. During the Simultaneous System recordings, players were located in Asheville, Los Angeles, and Nagoya. The juxtaposition here of two methods and two groups into a single album was very intentional. The challenge in conceiving and executing More Unity was to create an album with a singular sound that encompassed as many dualities as possible. Those dualities are apparent in not only method & engineering but also in concept. In exploring the intersection between improvisation and composition, Caldwell discovered that they aren’t that different.

CREDITS
Tracks 1 & 4 were recorded remotely, independently, and blind of the other players using the simultaneous system.
Yuri Osuka - Voice
Patrick Shiroishi - Saxophone
Thom Nguyen - Percussion & Drums
Mark Tester - Flute, Arp 2600, Bass
Landon Caldwell - Clarinet, Generative & Modular Synth

Tracks 2 & 3 were recorded as part of the Eternal Husk 'Commune' session in Indianapolis.
Nick Yeck-Stauffer - Trumpet
Drew Davis - Trumpet, Trombone
Jordan Allen - Hand Drum, Electric Guitar
Mark Tester - Bass, Shaker, Drums
Landon Caldwell - Organ, Electric Piano

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If you're vibing on Landon Caldwell then you might be attuned to the Slow Jazz playlist.