Danish experimental vocal artist-sound poet Randi Pontoppidan and vibes player-film composer Martin Fabricius (a former student of Gary Burton) first met in 2016, at Jazz Denmark’s Summer Session – a jazz camp for professionals, led by some of the world’s most renowned musicians, including Jamaladeen Tacuma – Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time bassist. Two hours before Tacuma was set to depart for the airport, he gathered a select group of session attendees to record an improvised album, The Legend of the Pipe and Sweater, including Pontoppidan and Fabricius (released by Tacuma in 2017, with double bass player Jens Jefsen and drummer Ole Theil).
The spontaneity of making that album was incorporated into the mindset of Pontoppidan and Fabricius and inspired Clouds which was recorded at The Village Recording in March 2023. Both Pontoppidan and Fabricius employ electronics to enrich their timbres and blend playful, free improvisations and older, ethereal compositions, tried and tested through extensive live performances of the duo, an Arnold Schoenberg-tinged twelve-tone technique composition («Twelve») accompanied by improvisations, as well as multi-tracked produced compositions enhanced via overdubs and layering. The album was produced and mixed using Dolby Atmos spatial audio and is available as such in streaming services.
The eleven pieces suggest mysterious and atmospheric duets that cleverly resonate or melt the subtle electronic sounds with the Pontoppidan’s expressive and suggestive, mostly wordless vocals and Fabricius’ delicate vibes. These pieces often sound like poetic, magical incantations that touch our deepest secrets or passions and explore the healing effects of the human voice and are wisely enhanced by the specious sonic envelope of Fabricius’ vibes, electronics and percussion.
Clouds offers a purifying, beautiful and highly immersive listening experience. A perfect recipe for making your days brighter and better.
Eyal Hareuveni
Randi Pontoppidan (voice, live electronics), Martin Fabricius (vibraphone, electronics, percussion)
