patterns & improvisations vol. 1

by ensemble, et al.

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Nathanael Larochette My new favorite band. Thank you. Favorite track: two.

sumbuk This is quite an ambient work; unlike their other releases, which are FAR more-energetic, if not downright rollickin' (Their first comes closest in feel to this). Originally a perc for backers of The Slow Reveal, I can attest to their ability to do all of their stuff live, perfectly. And they're friendly, too! (Even to the likes of me.) ;-)

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Includes unlimited streaming of patterns & improvisations vol. 1 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	one 05:47	buy track
2.	two 06:26	buy track
3.	three 04:41	buy track
4.	four 04:47	buy track
5.	five 05:28	buy track

about

A departure from previous ensemble, et al. albums, this collection of music was committed to tape without any premeditated forethought, rehearsals or collaborative writing sessions among the members of the group. These loops, patterns and improvisations were captured in the moment at Minbal Studios in Chicago, IL on April 18, 2016. Tracking for ensemble, et al.'s 'The Slow Reveal' was scheduled to begin on this day, however, engineer and producer John McEntire was stuck in Japan due to a canceled flight.

Determined not to waste any time and to begin recording music immediately after driving half way across the country from New York to Chicago, ensemble, et al. hired local engineer, Andy Spillman to man the controls at Minbal to record ideas that sprang to mind on the spot for the group.

The compositions are raw and unpolished with a certain sense of stasis. The recording session captured the group collaborating in real time and making decisions on the fly with more attention to ambiance than to narrative - in contrast to the compositions on 'The Slow Reveal', which were recorded in parallel. A certain narrative motion, if not proper narrative form, began to emerge during the mixing process, which was helmed by ensemble, et al. member Charlie Kessenich.

The tunes share a sense of uplifting melancholy and represent a specific moment in time for the creators. The tunes are presented here in chronological order in which they came to life.

This is ensemble, et al.'s travelogue.

credits

released October 13, 2018

Recording Engineer: Andy Spillman
Mixing Engineer: Charlie Kessenich
Mastering Engineer: Jon Cohrs at Spleenless Mastering
Produced by: Charlie Kessenich and ensemble, et al.
Artwork & Design: Ron Tucker and Brent Gummow

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ensemble, et al. Brooklyn, New York

"The resonant, tonal palette of chimes, bells, and percussive ringing instruments effectively drum across the tight wire between post-punk textures, airport spaces, and the endless grass fields of the mind."

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