Nicholas Whittaker "Umbra"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Psychedelic, Krautrock, Jazz
Label: Cobblers Records
Format: digital
Release date: September 18, 2020
Tracklist: 

1. Lofoten Dance (3:53) 

2. Caraval (8:13) 

3. Folded Sun: Prelude (1:45) 

4. Folded Sun (4:36) 

5. Sacral (4:53) 

6. Qamar (8:19) 

7. Lofoten Dance II (4:36) 

Total Time 36:15

Line-up: 

Nicholas Whittaker (Diagonal) - Alto & Soprano saxophone, Clarinet, Duduk, Electric guitar, Flute, Hulusi, Kalimba, Penny whistles, Percussion, Recorder, Synthesizer, Vocals

   With

Luke Foster (Diagonal) - Drums (4), Percussion (2 & 6), Synthesizer (6)

James Howarth -  Bass guitar (1, 4 & 7)

Lisa Watt - Vocals (2)

Description/Reviews: 

‘Umbra’ is bookended by the long, spiralling sax lines of ‘Lofoten Dance’ part 1 and 2. Set against a backdrop of sparse bass and wandering African thumb piano, its sonic space perfectly evokes the isolated splendour of the Norwegian archipelago it was inspired by and in many ways the still, mysterious atmosphere that is witnessed during a solar eclipse.

Some of the most beautiful moments of light reside within ‘Caraval’ and ‘Sacral’. The former, a joyous major key drone that blissfully meanders along complemented by a panoply of percussion that has echoes of Popul Vuh at their most ecstatic. The latter is a wonderful expression of serene contemplation based around a simple, ascending two note synthesiser figure that conjures up some of the best ambient works of the ECM catalogue.

Further musical exploration of shadow is represented by the formidable power of ‘Qamar’, whose finale is replete with prayer bells and tribal percussion, bolstered by Whittaker’s multi-part vocal harmonies over a bed of droning synth and ethnic wind instruments - drawing comparisons to the cinematic work of saxophonist Colin Stetson.

Further notable use of vocals is to be found as the album’s centrepiece: ‘Folded Sun’. A deep slice of Kosmiche beauty propelled by Diagonal bandmate Luke Foster’s cyclical drumming, the result is akin to something that Robert Wyatt, Hawkwind and NEU! may have concocted if they had triple booked the same recording studio.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp