music
The perfect symbiosis between two of the most fascinating names in European improvisation music is the proposal for this concert. On one hand, Julian Sartorius is always precise on the drums. On the other, Matthew Herbert, an electronic virtuoso, works his wizardry with manipulation, noise and delay. Released by Herbert’s Acidental Records, Drum Solo (2022) recorded the beginning of what is one of the most interesting partnerships of recent years.
Recorded live in a single day on 25 November 2021 in London, Drum Solo brings together well-defined rhythmic phrases, intoxicating beats and Sartorius’ idiosyncratic style, and uses them as its sole sound source. Herbert takes hold of these sounds and, in real-time, manipulates and transforms rhythmic patterns into dazzling sonic landscapes, in a storm of electronics and beats. Without overdubs and other production gimmicks, Drum Solo is this: hard, raw improvisation, drums plus electronics and the constant dialogue between Julian Sartorius and Matthew Herbert. Nothing more. To add to the challenge, the album was also mixed in a single day by Dilip Harris, who regularly works with King Krule, Sons of Kemet, Shabaka Hutchings and Benee.
A Swiss drummer trained at the Berne and Lucerne jazz schools, Julian Sartorius is one of today’s most unique musicians. As a solo artist, he released the twelve-LP collection Beat Diary (Everest Records, 2012) and the Morphblog series from 2013 to 2019. His unique drumming style has led to collaborations with artists such as Kae Tempest, Shahzad Ismaily, Sylvie Courvoisier, Sophie Hunger, James Zoo and Valentina Magaletti.
Matthew Herbert is one of the most acclaimed British composers and producers of the last 25 years. With over 30 albums to his name, from the acclaimed Bodily Functions (2001), One Pig (2012) and Secondhand Sounds (2002), to his work in film, with the soundtracks for A Fantastic Women (2017), winner of the Oscar for Best International Film, Disobedience (2017) and The Wonder (2022), Herbert also has a long list of collaborations with names such as Quincy Jones, Yoko Ono, Serge Gainsbourg, Róisín Muphy, Arto Lindsay and Björk, with whom he has worked regularly since the release of Vesperine (2001).
The perfect symbiosis between Julian Sartorius (drums and percussion) and Matthew Herbert (electronic), two of the most fascinating names in European improvisation music.
