‘Skirfare’:
an adventurous 120-album project giving creative control to the listener FORJ
is an exciting quartet led by drummer Jonathan Silk, featuring the critically
acclaimed and long-time friend and collaborator, Nick Jurd on double bass
alongside the incredible musicianship of two of London’s finest improvisers,
Joe Wright and Josh Arcoleo on tenor saxophones. The band promises high octane
grooves and expansive improvisation across a whole series of original
compositions.
“A
wild, muscular delight.” - London Jazz News.
“It was a joy to hear the interaction between Wright and Arcoleo” - Tony Dudley-Evans.
With
their debut album release ‘Skirfare’, FORJ seek to challenge the normal process
by which we record and release improvised music. This album gives a way of
framing the openness with which the quartet plays and questions the normal
studio process:
“It
did not feel appropriate to represent this band by choosing one take of a piece
that has travelled many different ways every time it is performed. Instead we
wanted to give the listener the opportunity to choose their own album,
bringing them closer to the music and the band as a result.”
‘Skirfare’
pays tribute to bad manners, picturesque beauty spots, Birmingham’s finest
roofer, projects of old and simple word play. The lively ‘Interruption’
features Arcoleo and Wright weaving and diving as they seek to challenge the
other’s narrative at every turn. Contrasting ‘Roundwoods’ is dedicated to a
quiet, tidal river spot in the South West. Our favourite Brummie-based
‘Gutterologist’ explores playful humour whilst hard-hitting ‘Trope’ combines
our free approach to improvisation with driving momentum from Jurd and Silk.
‘Half Marathon’ adopts a peaceful and thought-provoking dedication to the
creative joy in simple things.
With
five different compositions, each version of a tune can seamlessly transition
to any of the other tunes in the album regardless of whether they were recorded
together or not.
FORJ
then put that decision in the listener’s hands.
A
bespoke website, designed by Joe Wright, is the only place to access this
music. This interactive user interface allows the listener to choose their own
order of tunes. The website then produces the individual version of album based
on the chosen setlist and packages this into a download. Listeners can return
to the website as much as they like - perfect for those who want to ‘try out’
other combinations and explore the concept and the music further.
‘Skirfare’
is accompanied by a collection of unique and highly creative collages
commissioned to support the release. Creative photography and design from David
Stanley (GuriBosh) has produced a set of bespoke visual representations of the
music: one for every recording of every tune. A segment of these individual collages
also combines under the listener’s choice to form dedicated artwork unique to
each version of the album.
The
result is a bespoke set of music and art forming 120 album combinations,
selected by the listener, and framing FORJ’s improvisational approach in a
unique and creative way.
“With
a unique album download, we hope the listener will feel a personal connection
with the music and the band.”
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All
compositions written by Jonathan Silk except ‘Trope’ - written by Nick Jurd.
All rights reserved.
All
track listings are made up of these five tunes - the order will vary depending
on each listener’s personal choice:
Interruption; Roundwoods;
Gutterologist; Trope; Half Marathon.
Release
date: Friday 5th February 2021
Available
from: www.forj4tet.co.uk/skirfare
Josh
Arcoleo - Tenor saxophone; Joe Wright - Tenor saxophone; Nick Jurd - Double
Bass; Jonathan Silk - Drums
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