Quickbeam by Rowan Oliver

Having built years of music industry experience collaborating with a wide range of artists, Rowan Oliver’s ‘Quickbeam’ LP represents the first solo release by this versatile musician. Developed organically over several years, the entirely instrumental album distils a kaleidoscope of stylistic influences into a unique musical identity. The resulting sonic patchwork includes acoustic folk textures colliding with dubby electronics, soaring string sections that hint at David Axelrod and Charles Stepney, swampy Meters-style funk, Nuyorican horn arrangements and a spectrum of global percussion, all underpinned by groove-driven beats. Wistful melodies weave through the tracks, evoking a sense of both optimism and melancholy that will appeal to fans of Sven Wunder, Quantic or Fabiano do Nascimento.

Rowan was Goldfrapp’s drummer for seven years, performing on their early platinum albums and tours, and has worked as a session musician and producer with an extensive list of artists including Plaid, Mara Carlyle, Paul Oakenfold, Marilyn Manson, Willis, Spacer, Add N To (X) and Max de Wardener. His playing can be heard across releases on labels such as Soul Jazz, Mute, Warp, Interscope, 679, Perfecto, Pussyfoot and Freerange, and his global gigging experience ranges from tiny anarchist squat venues to enormodome stadiums, and from Glastonbury Festival (UK) to Fuji Rock (Japan). Way back in 2004, his remix of Goldfrapp’s ‘Strict Machine’ reached #1 in the US Billboard Dance chart.

Nice things some cool people have said about Quickbeam:

‘Big fat lush stereo picture of a groovy big band, plus strings, with plenty of funky percussion and electronica mixed in.’
- WILL GREGORY (Goldfrapp, Will Gregory Moog Ensemble)

‘In parts all out funky, that will slip in and out of a haunting ambience. With this collection of music Rowan has weaved his influences into something personal and evocative. Always rhythmic, while melody and arrangements root you into more contemplative ground.’
- ROBERT GALLAGHER (Galliano, Earl Zinger, Two Banks Of Four)

Rowan Oliver is a multi-instrumentalist, producer & composer whose music draws on a wide spectrum of styles and sounds. These combine with his signature grooves and drum breaks, to forge a distinctive creative voice.

Album photgraphy by Jacob Flint Oliver (instagram.com/jfo.___/)

Profile photo by David Ruston (davidruston.co.uk)

Instagram