Brahja by Brahja
This is an extraordinary and exquisite album. A very special brand of avant-garde, hauntingly beautiful spiritual jazz, that incorporates spacey hypnotic synth melodies and atmospheric tones, with chanting vocals, powerful saxophone solos, moody grooves and driving percussion rhythms.
Devin Brahja Waldman has been making a name for himself as both a sideman and leader, performing alongside prolific acts like Patti Smith, Thurston Moore, Godspeed! You Black Emperor, William Parker, and many others, while also being a member of New York City’s Heroes Are Gang Leaders collective (led by poet Thomas Sayers Ellis and saxophonist James Brandon Lewis), and establishing the Moroccan ensemble Ziad Qoulaii Allstars.
An exceptionally original and addictive album that grows with each listen for its fascinating nuances and is undoubtedly one of the best that has been made in recent years.
Originally released on vinyl in 2019 by RR Gems
“The music felt both familiar and innovative, something I hadn't heard before — raw yet nuanced, meditative yet ruthless, a consciousness-expanding exhilarating experimental trip”
Dmitri Kalinin, Co-Founder of the RR Gems label
Tracklist
| 1. | In The Mess | 9:00 |
| 2. | Keepers | 5:46 |
| 3. | Qwikness | 4:58 |
| 4. | Just Passing Thru | 4:02 |
| 5. | Money People Time | 5:35 |
| 6. | Inneffable Intro | 2:52 |
| 7. | Medecine Woman | 11:58 |
| 8. | Return Of The Good Enemy | 3:52 |
| 9. | Can´t Stand It | 3:17 |
| 10. | Welcom To Wohlom | 6:30 |
Credits
Devin Brahja Waldman - saxophone, piano, synthesizer, drums
Isis Giraldo - piano, synthesizer, voice
Damon Shadrach Hankoff - organ, piano, synthesizer
Martin Heslop - acoustic bass
Daniel Gélinas - drums, synthesizer
Margaret Morris - voice on songs #1 and #2
Sam Shalabi - guitar on songs #3, #4, #5
Luke Stewart - electric bass/pedals on #2 #4, #6 #7 and #9
Daniel Carter - soprano saxophone on #6 and #10
Anais Maviel - surdo and voice on #10
Composed, Mixed & Produced by Devin Brahja Waldman
Recorded by Daniel Gélinas at Studio Chocolat Chaud at Graniteville, QC.
Additional recording by Ambrose Bye at Fast Speaking Music Studios, NYC. Digital mastering by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Studio, NYC.
Vinyl mastering by Louis Henry Sarmiento II at Sonic Vista Studios, Ibiza, Spain.
Artwork by RYOCK
(Woodcuts based on photography by Isaac Rosenthal)
(Woodcuts also based on artwork by Jason MClean & Hanz Mambo and on photography by No Land, TSE, Mazen Kerbaj, Simon DesRochers)
Lettering and word design by Corey J. Of The Veazies
Layout by Ilja Tulit
