Much to the
anticipation of music aficionados worldwide, music artist Marcus Corbett will
be releasing his new album “Every Little Spirit” in October 2016! Marcus is an
acoustic guitarist, singer and composer based between Marlborough, UK and Pune,
Maharashtra, India. Gradually, during repeated expeditions in India over the
last decade or more, having immersed himself in the fundaments of North Indian
classical music Marcus has begun to reap the rewards of his involvement in the
musical life of Pune, Maharashtra and Gadag in North Karnataka.
The result
is a generous spirited cultural collaboration that allows his music to come to
life while paying homage to the tradition he loves. Here there is ambition as
two violins are at work, and as he says, “One violin may be a line drawing but
two become cinema – and with the risk associated with such potential drama no
one performance is the same as the last. The beautiful challenge in this search
is to keep the individual cultural charm, to make the bell ring true. And to
maintain the power and integrity of the music.”
“With his
deep affinity with Indian classical music and his expertise in soulfully
conveying its essence on the humble acoustic guitar. …where other guitar
maestros have dipped their toes…. he's taken the integration a stage further
and his collaboration with tabla virtuosos Nitin Gaikwad and Sharanappa
Guttaragi on this disc is both fiery and rewarding.” - Fatea
On the
subject of his musical influences, aside from his times in India, Marcus
states, “I've been affected by John Martyn, Nick Drake, Roy Harper - anybody
that makes the guitar sing or speak. John McLaughlin with the early Mahavishnu
Orchestra and Shakti was a revelation as has been Jerry Garcia's soulful
musicality. Recently Frank Yamma has got under my skin”.
Acclaimed
producer and composer Sam Williams (Supergrass/The Go Team!) has co-produced
the first track on the album, “Strung Deep” – a remix of Castanets from Marcus'
previous EP release of the same name. Marcus explains how this unlikely-seeming
collaboration came about:
“While
mixing 'Castanets' for the last record (Strung Deep) I discovered a heartbeat
in the rhythmic cycle that expressed something quintessential and more about
the track. It has a breezy optimism that continues from where the album 'Strung
Deep' left off. I needed a different approach, someone outside of the Indian
classical world who could the sense the potential and produce it. A chance
meeting with Sam Williams during which I heard some of his recent work was the
catalyst to our working together. Sam has created a great rhythm led track to
fit the varying time signatures and give the looping swirl a kick. He also
found some words to go with the emerging vibe while keeping some essential
ingredients of the original. It is a remix which contemporizes the song in a
way which keeps the flavour of the original and casts new light on what I do”.
Recorded
with Abhijit Saraf at Musical Stars Studio in Pune, Maharashtra; and in Gadag,
Karnataka and in Oxford (UK), Corbett is accompanied for “Every Little Spirit”
by tabla players Nitin Gaikwad and Sharanappa Guttaragi. The seductive vocal of
renowned classical singer Saylee Talwalkar takes us into his world. The
storyline unfolds amidst the masterful weave of bansuri flute player Milind
Date, and is carried further by the cinematic violins of Anjali Singde-Rao,
Sanjay Upadhye and Sachin Ingale with a cameo appearance by celebrated
Oxford-based virtuoso Bruno Guastalla on cello.
Comprised of
eight tracks spread across 59 minutes, “Every Little Spirit” is lyrically
themed and is a reflection upon how our roots entwine with all life; how our
joy and sorrow is shared; that while life is a gift, for which acknowledgment
and thanks are due, no one said the living of it was easy and how we
instinctively seek release, to “get set free” from the emotional and physical
turmoil of existence. “This could be you, this could be me….”.
“Perfect
Sunday morning music... I really enjoyed listening through it - it is a very
well paced and interesting listen” - Nigel House at Rough Trade
Having
toured successfully in Germany and Holland, played around the UK, and gained
press attention from all over the world for his previous releases, Marcus'
reputation for his skillful combining of the worlds of Indian Classical and
British folk music, while being ambitious and yet aware of the limitations,
will inevitably continue to grow and grow, and his status as one of the great
explorers of these musical borderlands will continue to be celebrated.
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