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LP
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GZH 089LP
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French modern-classical quartet Astrïd return with the first part of a new release entitled A Porthole. Conceptually, the two records will work in unison, focusing on portholes into the abyss, with part one delving into the depths of the deep sea. The tracks are named after various strains of seaweed, the artwork depicting dark waves and uncertainty. Part two will follow in a year's time and will turn its attention to the night sky and constellations. A Porthole continues Astrïd's signature style of billowing guitars, strings and woodwinds. Each element is intertwined with another, linked perfectly together through restrained jazz-tinged percussion. 2017's acclaimed Through The Sparkle (GZH 073CD/LP) with renowned pianist Rachel Grimes (of Rachels) set the bar high for this release but Astrïd have matched the depth, melody and quality of that record here. Part one of this journey features some sublime compositions with Cyril Secq's expressive and bold guitar playing carrying the pieces into chamber music territory, joined seamlessly by a variety of other instruments that swell and soar and fit perfectly into the story being told. Everything seems to have its place; nothing is overplayed or out of step here, and there is an organic nature to the way this quartet plays and interacts with one another as melodies circle back and fade away in the same beautiful breath. A Porthole is a deeply charming record, exercising glorious, nuanced refrains and offering a sort of hope rarely found in music these days. Mastered by Harris Newman (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tindersticks), art by Gizeh overlord Richard Knox. Edition of 300 on aqua blue vinyl, includes download.
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CD
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MONO 087CD
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The West Lighthouse Is Not So Far is the fourth album by French band Astrïd. The compositions, each titled after a lighthouse, create ambient soundscapes, filled with sparkling details and ornaments, which fluidly move into disturbing moments when strong basslines meet repetitive percussion. The band shows how thin the border is between harmless calm and storms of heavy guitar waves. Recorded and mixed by Cyril Secq at Goulephar Studio in the countryside of Nantes, France, between March 2013 and January 2014. Composed and performed by Cyril Secq, Vanina Andréani, Guillaume Wickel, and Yvan Ros.
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CD
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RCD 2126CD
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These days, it's quite an unlikely event that a non-Norwegian artist will end up releasing a record on Rune Grammofon. But when presented with these recordings, the label realized that this was simply too good to turn down. French group Astrïd began with founding members Cyril Secq and Yvan Ros back in 1997 first as a guitar/drums duo before the arrival of violinist Vanina Andreani the year after and clarinetist Guillaume Wickel in 2005. Since 2007, they have lived and worked between Nantes and Marseille. The music of Astrïd has roots in improvised music, ambient, '70s folk and jazz, classical and contemporary music from Ravel to Pärt. There's also a kinship to artists such as Philip Glass, Brian Eno, Mark Hollis, No Neck Blues Band and Rachel's (who they have played with several times) but first and foremost, they have established a unique and personal chamber music seamlessly mixing instruments, structures and approaches from both rock and classical music. When it comes to concerts, Astrïd tend to perform in places like theaters, churches, galleries and dance places. The name "Astrïd" dates back to before the group started, when leader Cyril Secq was making a number of demos while trawling through the whole of The Beatles Anthology and being fascinated by their association with German photographer Astrid Kirchherr and her influence on them. He was in search of a name for his music and didn't want the typical French or British solutions. The "ï" was the result of another band in Scotland at the time with the same name. High Blues is Astrïd's third album following two releases on the Arbouse Recordings label, Music For (2004) and & (2008). Cyril Secq (guitars, bowed guitars, harmonium, Juno), Yvan Ros (drums, percussion, double bass), Vanina Andreani (violin, kalimba) and Guillaume Wickel (clarinet, bass clarinet, harmonium, Rhodes).
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