The Alvaret Ensemble - ea (LAAPS)

WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE:

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WHAT WE SAY:

Almost ASMR like, post-classical fusion from The Alvaret Ensemble as tingle inducing spoken words ride the sparse yet succinct arrangements & the late night church recording sessions lend an air of solemnity & gravitas to proceedings. A fine start from, the sure to be wonderful, Laaps label.

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WHAT YOUR EARS SAY:

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WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY:

The Alvaret Ensemble is the improvisatory collective based around Greg Haines (piano), Jan Kleefstra (voice, poems), Romke Kleefstra (guitar, bass and effects) and Sytze Pruiksma (percussion).

"Ea" is the group’s third album, after releasing the acclaimed self-titled double debut and the second album "Skeylja" in respectively 2012 and 2014 on Denovali Records. "Ea" was recorded over three nights in a small church in the Netherlands. As usual the group invited other musicians to join, as they did on the first two albums and also during their live concerts. On "Ea" the group is expanded with the Polish violist Olga Wojciechowska and Portuguese cellist Joana Guerra.

Just like on previous recordings The Alvaret Ensemble began to play without scores or discussion. The setting in the church, recording at night and the prominent role for the string section results in an album that comes closer the "Alvaret’s" first album than to "Skeylja". Again there were hours of recordings, which took the group months again to compile and mix the album. Release dates were even postponed, as some first editions of the album were eventually rejected by the band itself, to start the whole process over again. At long last the group came to the double album "Ea" and gave it a new home on the new record label "laaps". In reviews the "Alvaret’s" debut was stated to be tender, quiet and restrained; an introspective album, which stark beauty was perfect for winter, when color has been leeched from the landscape and all has been laid bare. "Ea" might fit that description perfectly. Even better, maybe.

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www.kleefstrabros.bandcamp.com

Some copies of the cd / vinyl + the digital are available directly to the band via bandcamp.
_____________________  Credits
Greg Haines - piano, church organ, percussion

Jan Kleefstra – words, poems

Joana Guerra – cello, voice

Olga Wojciechowska – violin, piano

Romke Kleefstra – guitars, bass, effects

Sytze Pruiksma – percussion

Recorded at Dorpskerk Huizum, Leeuwarden, December 2016

Recorded by Jan Switters

Edited and mixed by Greg Haines

Artwork by Øystein Aspelund
Mastered by Taylor Deupree at 12k Mastering
Design by Sprflxgrfzm