Music Factory Records presents
Praysue: Ari Joshua with Billy Martin, John Medeski, & Jason Fraticelli
Woven with threads of memory, place, ancestral motifs and emotion, Pray Sue is a composition that sits at the crossroads of classical, and jazz. Inspired by Ari Joshua’s late grandfather and the enigmatic town of Przysucha, the composition unfurls as a cinematic journey through time and space. At its heart lies a classical sensibility, reimagined through a contemporary lens. Orchestral strings, their voices ethereal and haunting, intertwine with the rhythmic pulse of vintage magnetic tape-driven keyboards and organs, creating a sonic landscape both familiar and ethereal.
The rhythmic bedrock of the piece is laid by the formidable drumming of Billy Martin, whose percussive explorations add a layer of depth and complexity. John Medeski’s keyboard wizardry imbues the track with a kaleidoscopic palette of colors and analog textures, elevating the composition to new heights of sonic grandeur. Recorded at the legendary Applehead Studio in Woodstock, New York, the ancestral anthem captures the essence of a bygone era when music was crafted with meticulous care and attention to detail. The art work by artist Mark Henson, augments the ethereal quality of the music, as he describes the visual works, 'into the light, winged beings fly to the source'.
Credits:
Produced by Ari Joshua
Ari Joshua - Guitar (Electric)
John Medeski - Electric Organ
Billy Martin - Drums
Jason Fraticelli - Upright Bass
Phillip Peterson - Cello
Petro Krysa - Violin
Strings by Phillip Peterson, House of Breaking Glass
Producer - Ari Joshua
Engineered by Chris Bittner, Applehead Recording Studios
Mixed by Chis Bittner, Applehead Recording Studios
Mixed by Pierre Grill, Rendez-Vous Studios
Mastered by Pierre Grill, Rendez-Vous Studios
Art - Mark Henson
Design - Monte Mitchell and Forest Shore
Engineer Chris Bittner's deft hand captured the nuances of each instrument, preserving the intimacy and authenticity of the performances. The subsequent surround sound and stereo mixes by Pierre Grill at Rendez Vous Recordings expanded the sonic canvas, inviting listeners to immerse themselves fully in the music. The result is a breathtaking soundscape that envelops the listener, creating a profound and immersive listening experience.
Joshua’s guitar, a soulful and expressive instrument, weaves its way through the composition, serving as a bridge between the personal and the universal. The interplay between the guitar and the orchestral elements is both delicate and powerful, creating a dialogue that is both intimate and expansive. "Praysue" is a testament to the enduring power of music to evoke profound emotions and transport listeners to distant realms of the imagination. Commencing with a two-minute prelude, a sonic meditation anchored by Fraticelli's deep, resonant upright bass. Delicate layers of texture, akin to morning mist, envelop the listener, creating a sense of ethereal isolation. The melodic minor mode infuses the opening with a melancholic beauty, reminiscent of a vast, solitary desert.
At the two-minute mark, the orchestral palette expands, introducing a lush tapestry of strings that intertwines with the foundational bassline. The music begins to ascend, carrying the listener on a rising tide of sound. The interplay between the instruments becomes increasingly intricate, as Joshua and Medeski engage in a spirited dialogue at the four-minute mark. Their musical conversation is a highlight, their ideas sparking and igniting with the intensity of a celestial fireworks display. As the piece nears its conclusion at the six-minute mark, the melody undergoes a transformative shift, re-emerging with a renewed sense of purpose. The final moments echo the introspective beginning, creating a cyclical structure that suggests a return to the starting point, yet enriched by the journey undertaken. The music fades, leaving the listener suspended in a contemplative afterglow, as if the spirits of the musicians continue to resonate in the lingering echoes of sound.
Ari Joshua's collaborations with John Medeski, and Billy Martin include five key releases: "Meeting of the Minds," a meditative, improvisational album; "Elephant Walk," a cinematic boogaloo; "Dragons Layer," an angular suspenseful sonic journey; and "Country Stroll," a laid-back, country-infused jazz track; "Let's Do It Right Now" a tribute to Elvin Jones. These works showcase a mix of trio and quartet's with synergy and diverse soundscapes.
"Praysue is one of those songs that came like a payer in the wind, I wrote it as part of this batch of songs for John and Billy but it came after thinking about music I imagine our ancestors would sing when they wanted to connect to the source. There is a mourners prayer out there I grew up hearing, I sort of imagined the words from that ancient prayer when this melody came to me. The title comes from the town my ancestors where living in before the second world war. It's not a sad song, it's a minor key but it is a song for peace."
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