Slowcraft

James Murray’s new solo work takes the form of two carefully constructed long-form sound collages; twin formations gradually unfolding in continuous, ever-evolving streams of delicately controlled chaos. In Your Head seeks to absorb turbulence opened-eyed while the anticyclonic In Your Heart trusts itself to the winds of change. Calm music for chaotic times. Embrace Storms is the first multi-format split release between Slowcraft and KrysaliSound, two collaborative independent labels based in London and Milan dedicated to presenting beautiful limited editions of minimal, understated and unclassifiable musical works.

Each heavyweight custom double sleeve is individually rubber-stamped and numbered by hand in a limited first edition of one hundred and fifty copies for the world. Every package includes a concealed handwritten download code, glass-mastered CD and insert with original artwork by Roberto Galati and an individually numbered, handwritten dedication from the artists themselves.

Each heavyweight custom double sleeve is individually rubber-stamped and numbered by hand in a limited first edition of one hundred and fifty copies for the world. Every package includes a concealed handwritten download code, glass-mastered CD and insert with original artwork by Silvia Bobeková and an individually numbered, handwritten dedication from the artist himself. Hidden for the Eyes is the exquisite debut album from Slovakian composer Lukáš Bulko recording as Alapastel. This treasure trove of neo-classical grandeur, electro-acoustic production and subtle folk undertones was eight years in the making and clearly signals the arrival of a unique and original new talent. Lukáš speaks with spirited and assured musical voice in an ambitious, pastoral and otherworldly collection, enhanced by the vocal talents of Alex Lukáčová and Marián Hrdina and the sensitive mix and mastering of Adam Dekan.

I've always cared more about what's left unsaid, the less certain truths lightened through nuance not statement. It's unsurprising then that scattered throughout layers of the original twenty-one tracks are half-remembered melodies and fragments of what might have been. I knew the final released mixes could only be versions, as definitive as possible but ever fertile for reweighting, rebalancing and reimagining. Simply to recombine a few elements on many of these productions is to invite another composition to spontaneously unfurl, often equally faithful to the spirit of my intent as the original. Artists are all circling their private collection of hopes, fears, dreams and disappointments, looking at this strange assemblage from every angle, pushing and pulling to see what falls out. It's through this focused, sustained introspection that we occasionally get a glimpse of something beyond ourselves, enough perhaps to convert into something worthwhile to say aloud. I'll continue to look inward in my work in hopes of finding this gold of the soul, but here, now, I invite you back to one of the richest veins I've struck to date; to the waters that submerge, the patient, extended hand and the aching foothills of regret. Floods Returned. - James Murray