At 9 P.M. After Lockdown

This is an intriguing set. The music here is improvised. The album takes its title from the fact it was recorded at that time on August 1st last year. The first day after the lifting of the pandemic lockdown in Moscow.

As Valdimir Goulokhov, who plays electric vibraphone on this set, recorded live, recalls, ‘During the concert there were bonfires around the stage. People who on the one hand, longed to be part of a crowd, and on the other, wandered around trying to observe social distancing.’  He continues ‘One could sense a confrontation of opposite moods in the air. The musicians got hold of an audience, the audience got hold of live music, and nature itself helped: was it day, night, or dusk?’

He’s joined here by Letov on electric saxophone and theremin player Rostovskaya. If that line-up, has you expecting something decidedly odd, then there’s no need to fear. The tracks here, while unusual, set up fascinating rhythms and soundscapes, and more than justify repeated listening, just to appreciate every nuance of the complexities of the performances.

Even better, they have more to give Like many of the recordings on the Native DSD web-shop, this one is available in both two and five-channel versions.  But – even more intriguing – also as a Binaural DSD download for those who listen on headphones. And at a discount price if you buy it with one or both of the other formats.

I’d really suggest you give the Binaural DSD version a shot. It’s a remarkably immersive experience. Really throwing the listener into the heart of the music-making, with bags of ambience.