Laurence Pike - The Undreamt-of Centre [CD]

The Leaf Label

£11.47

Format: CD
Catalogue No.: BAY135CD
Barcode: 843190013524
Release Date: 06 Sep 2024
Genre: Jazz/ Electronic/Ambient

The Undreamt-of Centre is the fourth solo album by prolific Australian drummer/composer/producer Laurence Pike, an evocative, contemporary reimagining of the requiem mass.

The album will be released on CD (500 copies) and limited edition Forest Green vinyl LP (700 copies for the world), in a stunning gatefold sleeve which features neoclassical painting 'Orphée et Eurydice' by Michel Martin Drolling (1820).

The album draws on the sounds of modern classical music, Japanese environmental ambient music, fourth world electronics, free jazz and the choral traditions of Estonia, with particular influence from Tallinn-based composer Tonu Korvits.

Produced in collaboration with the Vox Sydney Philharmonia Choir, conducted by Pike’s childhood friend, composer Sam Lipman and recorded in a 19th century Gothic church.

Laurence Pike on The Undreamt-of Centre:
I first had the thought of working with voices a number of years ago. I had the strange notion of making a requiem mass for drums, electronics and choir. It sat with me since then, until it felt the time was right to realise the idea.
Why a requiem? Initially I simply liked the idea of a structural format that had existed and been reimagined again and again over hundreds of years. Ultimately, it’s a ritual set to music. The processes and ecstatic outcomes of rituals, were something I had explored in making the Holy Spring album in 2019. I became interested in subverting the religious musical construct of a requiem into something far more contemporary, using language and sounds not readily associated with it. It also seemed a ready-made vehicle to explore the sound of a choir with my electro -acoustic drum kit performances. I had begun searching for a narrative structure or text that I might set a choir to, while not adhering to the text of a Latin mass. I began reading the poems of Rainer Maria Rilke, in particular his ‘Sonnets to Orpheus’, inspired by the classical Greek myth of Orpheus.

● The Undreamt-of Centre is the fourth solo album by Laurence Pike, following Distant Early Warning (2018), Holy Spring (2019) and Prophecy (2020)
● Pressed at Optimal
● The album will be preceded by two digital singles: ‘Introit’ and ‘Mountains Of The Heart’
● The campaign will be accompanied by video material from acclaimed Australian artist, filmmaker and longtime collaborator Clemens Habicht - plans for a concert film with choir are also underway
● The project will launch with a live performance at a high-profile Australian arts festival in August, with plans to perform it internationally in collaboration with local choirs
● The percussionist, composer and producer - currently a member of Liars - made his name with Triosk, PVT and Szun Waves, and has collaborated with Bill Callahan, Jan Jelinek, Mike Nock, Burnt Friedman, D.D Dumbo, Sarah Blasko and many others
● Previous support at BBC 6 Music from Mary Anne Hobbs, Tom Ravenscroft and Gideon Coe, at NTS from James Holden and at BBC Radio 3 from Late Junction
● UK and European promo by Alex Hall at In-House Press <alex@inhousepress.com>
● Radio and TV by Thea at The Leaf Label <publicity@theleaflabel.com>

CD: LP:
1. A1. Introit
2. A2. Orpheus In The Underworld
3. A3. Mountains Of The Heart
4. A4. Universal Forces
5. B1. The Undreamt-of Centre
6. B2. Eurydice
7. B3. Requiem Aeternam
8. B4. All Is Distance

On Laurence Pike:

“His solo work is a marvel, radiating the absolute confidence of a man in command of his instruments and making very difficult things seems inevitable. He creates a hyper-aware universe of constant, new, undefinable sound, that only he could make. He expresses himself through performance with a commitment that goes far beyond energy and will... Holy Spring is a mature and enthralling work that gives us real ritual. Ceremonies taken seriously that generate real power” the Quietus

“Full of morphing grooves and moods of imminent revelation, it’s a quicksilver delight” 4/5 The Observer
“A sumptuous, sonic world… rich with spiritual under-tones”4/5 Mojo

“Celestial minimalism… A puzzle that has endless permutations” 8/10 Uncut

“Holy Spring is an intoxicating gem” 8/10 The Line Of Best Fit

“Specialising in improvisation, he pushes the boundaries of jazz, post-rock, ambient and electronica with a cosmic freedom” Electronic Sound

“The wonder of Pike’s work has nothing to do with the brilliance of playing per se, but that, in real time, he heard and realised six complete musical experiences that keep the listener transfixed for 40 minutes” 4.5/5 Sydney Morning Herald

"Pike... is living proof that drummers need not dictate or dominate the pace. They can add feelings and flavours akin to any euphonic instrument in the right context. With his innovation and fluidity, Pike could be a modern Jon Christensen, the great Norwegian percussionist who was considered ECM's house drummer” All About Jazz

Contemporary Album of the Month 4/5 The Guardian