A Blade Because A Blade Is Whole
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
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Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
Heavyweight jacket with glossy photo insert sheet, IARC OBI & poly-lined inner sleeve.
Estimated Release Date: 07 March 2025
Please note that shipping dates for pre-orders are estimated and are subject to change
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
Limited edition "That Was My Garden" 140g color vinyl in heavyweight jacket with glossy photo insert sheet, IARC OBI & poly-lined inner sleeve.
Estimated Release Date: 07 March 2025
Please note that shipping dates for pre-orders are estimated and are subject to change
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.
Estimated Release Date: 07 March 2025
Please note that shipping dates for pre-orders are estimated and are subject to change
Mancunian singer, saxophonist and poet Alabaster DePlume swaps improvisation for meticulous arrangement on 'A Blade...', musing on conflict, sovereignty, dignity and suffering over cool-headed, jazzy orchestrations.
For an album with such heavy subject matter, 'A Blade...' is remarkably airy. DePlume makes what he regards as healing music, and takes aim at a world riddled with problems. If he wanted to tell us all how precious we were on 2022's 'GOLD', this time he reinforces that statement with further reflection, diving deep into the concepts of dignity, survival and self-determination. Inspired by Vietnamese monk and activist Thích Nhất Hạnh, he tells us to listen to our own suffering on 'Thank You My Pain', surrounding his loose, half-sung thoughts with breathy horns and Donna Thompson's faded drums. 'Invincibility' meanwhile sounds like feathery chamber folk - think Belle and Sebastian - with carefully placed choral segments widening the aspect ratio significantly.
It's clear that DePlume approached 'A Blade...' with a different mindset. 'GOLD' was assembled from lengthy improvised sessions, while he devised this one on his own, bringing the arrangements to his core team of collaborators. And it's lavish stuff, from the cinematic, slo-mo soul of 'Form a V' - that sounds as if it could have been snipped from a vintage Blaxploitation soundtrack - to the moving horn-led centerpiece 'Prayer For My Sovereign Dignity' that blooms into hopeful euphoria with soaring strings (arranged by Momoko Gill) and piano from John Ellis.