Inspirations and ideas behind the music of the EP
Numerous people have asked me about the making of my EP, ‘Candescence’, and what the inspirations were. So I thought that this new blog page would present an ideal opportunity to try and explain how the recording came to be.
I guess the first thing to say is that all of the music on the disc was written over a period of about 18 months and was performed fairly frequently at many of our gigs. This gave us plenty of chance to explore the music and to experiment with the different directions that we could take it. Consequently, when we finally took the music into the studio, one blazing hot day in April this year, it felt exactly the right moment to get the material ‘on record’.
Much of the material on the recording is inspired by a place very close to my heart – Istanbul. Not just the place itself, but the culture, the traditions, the religion and of course, the music. Ever since my first visit to Turkey in 2006, I have been touched profoundly by the Sufi music that is so prevalent there and, as such, I have striven to incorporate elements of this music within my own jazz compositions. The first track, for instance (‘Gulhane’), is directly inspired by a small district of the city – an area that buzzes and represents everything that is beautiful about the place. I decided that it was only fitting therefore, to use an Oud – one of Turkey’s most traditional instruments – to try and bring an authentic ‘flavour’ to the track. The Oud also makes an appearance on ‘Adoration of a Dervish’, which, as the title suggests, is inspired not only by the dancing of the dervishes, but also by their insight of life. I am hugely grateful to Glenn Sharp for his brilliance on this instrument.
Other tracks, such as ‘Candescence’ and ‘Nocturnal Resonances’ try to convey a sense of new beginning and light, as well as quiet calm and reflection. In the case of ‘View from Pierre Loti’ which completes the record, I have been awestruck by this vista ever since I first visited there 12 months ago. A small backwater in Istanbul, Pierre Loti visitors are able to take in a near-360 panorama of the city. I felt it was a fitting way to end the project.
So, what do I hope listeners gain from listening to this record? Well, certainly I very much hope that this EP represents a journey. The journey that I have personally travelled has transformed, very deeply, my insights into both life and music, and I would like to think that some of the elements that have developed me as a person are showcased in this recording. Through the textures and colours that I have striven to bring to the compositions, one hopes that at least some part of this exploration of self and culture, is represented on ‘Candescence’.
Finally, if you like this EP, please check out the work of my musician friends that appear on this record: Glenn Sharp (Oud), Grant Russell (Bass) and David Sudall (Drums). Thank you, all.