We are in the forest, where anything can be hidden behind the fog. Fairy-tale creatures are guessed in the outlines of trees. A swamp, clearing or thicket can wait ahead. Light fresh aromas hover in the humid air and trills of birds are carried. Clouds of mist form into bizarre shapes: there are fairies, wild animals that inspire awe, and people you no longer dreamed of seeing. But if you decide to move forward, you will meet only what you are ready for: if you are afraid, then you will meet the terrible, if you dream of a miracle, then the wonderful, if you are looking for beauty, then the beautiful, and if you are waiting for monsters, then they will meet.
The EP "Foggy Forest" includes three compositions by our saxophonist Alexey Sukhov, arranged jointly by members of the "Moon" subproject of Masala Quartet line-up: in addition to Alexey, this is pianist Anna Boehme, double bass player Dmitry Taranov and drummer Petr Ivshin. The recording is completely "live", made in one take, in one room in the Moscow Sova Studio and was born thanks to a combination of incredible and happy circumstances. Our friends, Oleg Batenin and Evgeniya Batenina, invited us to test the new audio and video recording technology they developed using the Oboton Telegram bot. The bot performed the multi-track sound recording and filmed video, without the participation of a sound engineer and operators in the process. Alexey used the application to adjust the volume balance of the instruments, Petr controlled the bot from his phone, starting and stopping sound recording, and immediately after the recording was over, the bot sent us the resulting files. We ourselves controlled the lighting in the white room, and Anna edited the video sequence, which was shown on the screens hung on the walls. How it was, illustrates the video "Foggy Forest", the release of which accompanies the release of the EP. Participation in such an innovative, experimental event was exciting in itself, but the fact that in those days, in November 2021, Alexey and his wife were expecting their first child, a trip to the hospital could happen at any moment, and the next meeting of the "Moon" subproject of Masala Quartet was possible not earlier than spring. In general, the recording happened at the only possible time in the only possible place. We express our sincere gratitude to Oleg and Zhenya for this opportunity.
Returning to the music itself, we can say that it is very imaginative. Pictures follow each other, grooves and melodies capture the mind, and then crumble, moving into episodes of free improvisation, to then gather into new structures. The beauty of instrumental improvisational music for us is that each listener can fill it with their own content. This is freedom, empathy and interaction on a non-verbal level, this is an opportunity to build the world the way you heard it. It's a journey that takes you to a new point every time you listen. It is only necessary to remember that it depends on the traveler himself what he will meet behind the fog in the forest: then it is not scary to get lost in it.
credits
released May 27, 2022
Masala Quartet
Alexey Soukhov tenor saxophone
Anna Beme keys, vocals
Dmitry Taranov double bass
Petr Ivshin drums
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Composed by: Alexey Soukhov
Arranged by: Masala Quartet
Photo by Alexander Panov, Andrei Shuklin
Cover by: Sasha Karachinsky
Recorded and filmed by: Oboton Telegram bot, Sova Studio, November 4, 2021
Mixed and mastered by: Alexey Soukhov
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of contemporary new music composed by different russian musicians. FANCYMUSIC is also a platform on which newer names may be encountered....more
supported by 7 fans who also own “Foggy Forest (Live)”
I was brought here after listening to a live performance of Makaya's on you tube. I instantly loved the song Holy Lands so much that I had to see if the album version was the same rendition as the live one. Then I listened to the whole album! Universal Beings is a just a groove... It's a mix of traditional and something new, very nice. pandr1900
supported by 6 fans who also own “Foggy Forest (Live)”
Because one can never have enough Sergey in their music library. I applaud your creativity, your ability to evoke thought and emotion with your music. Keep making it. The world needs more of it. john greenwood
Fragile cello and piano recall the bleak childhood of brothers Sebastian and Daniel Selke spent in a large prefab estate in East Berlin. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 10, 2017
supported by 6 fans who also own “Foggy Forest (Live)”
The second sax is a nice addition! Great performances, BOTH! The .ore you listen, the more you're enveloped. The progression of this band is ASTOUNDING! Jonathan Pryor