• Mary Potter

    Piano

  • Adrian Newton

    Samples

Into the Unknown

These tracks are all examples of free improvisation: spontaneous unplanned explorations of the piano. By repetition and development of motifs, it is possible to produce structured pieces of music in this way: instant compositions. Being sampled leads to another dimension, where I am responding to a fragment which Adrian has chosen to repeat while I am playing. My own ideas boomerang back and I make split-second decisions how to respond. This leads to multi-layered soundscapes, and the minute time differences are like fissures and cracks in rocks. The unusual sounds of the prepared piano offer a completely new palette of colours. It is a wonderfully creative world to be involved in.

"For me, the opportunity to improvise with Mary has been an enormous privilege. She is brimming over with wonderful music. Responding to this through electronics proved a fascinating challenge. All sampling and digital processing were performed live as part of the improvisation." Adrian Newton, 2007

Listen Track Length Download
1. Into the Unknown 11:52 MP3
2. Quark Shower 2:39 MP3
3. Drifting 2:16 MP3
4. Cosmic Caverns 2:31 MP3
5. Lightshafts 2:38 MP3
6. Hyperspace 1:45 MP3
7. Orbits 2:22 MP3
8. Split Structures 1:40 MP3
9. Lost 2:17 MP3
10. Alien Talk 3:34 MP3
11. Leaving 2:47 MP3
12. Cascading Home 2:12 MP3

Mary Potter piano
Adrian Newton samples

Track 1 recorded in concert at Safehouse, 18.7.06 / Remaining tracks recorded at Lighthouse, Poole 31.7.06
Recording and production, Adrian Newton / Many thanks to Lighthouse and Safehouse for support.

  • Steve Harris

    Drums

  • Cathy Stevens

    Viola, Violectra

  • Adrian Newton

    Samples

  • Udo Dzierzanowski

    Guitar

  • Karen Wimhurst

    Clarinets

  • Geoff Hearn

    Saxophones

  • Mary Potter

    Piano

Zaum

These tracks are from 'A is for Ox' the last album from ZAUM featuring the group's founder member Steve Harris who sadly died in January 2008. It is a culmination of performances by ZAUM over a two year period which Steve was particularly keen to make available and endorses ZAUM at the pinnacle of improvised music.

I met Steve Harris at one of the exciting Safehouse festivals at the Lighthouse in Poole. The sessions were extraordinary, with amazing musical conversations between players of all abilities: the one rule was to listen. He invited me to play with Zaum and the tracks here are taken from the recording of that concert. I feel honoured to be included on his last CD.

"For all the absence of easy hooks of any kind, this is very superior, non-idiomatic, contemporary music that almost never treads water and promises a surprise around every corner." John Fordham, The Guardian

Listen Track Length Download
1. Following Power Lines to your Home 2:52 MP3
2. A Modest Rain 2:04 MP3
3. Let's Cool One 1:27 MP3

Steve Harris drums
Cathy Stevens viola, violectra
Adrian Newton samples
Udo Dzierzanowski guitar
Karen Wimhurst clarinets
Geoff Hearn saxophones
Mary Potter piano

Tracks recorded at Lighthouse, Poole 9.3.06

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