Greg Fenton reviews Skander Jaïbi – Who has the right to closure? – Uncloud Editions
Opening the page, Who has the right to closure? forms the beginning of a newly founded label with tales of inward journeys bound to the turbulence of life, expressing intensity in all its rich, searing form. Realised and captured by a founding member of the Utrecht based Uncloud Festival, Skander Jaïbi.
Like hallowed ground, the reassurance of voices haunting the opening number, I, feel ethereal yet suggesting a certain tension exercised in their midst. Likewise, spread across eight chapters of awe-inspiring sound, each chapter is full of wide-open passages, highlighting everything from wonder to loss. Still, and this is the crucial bit, all contain a flair of musicality to keep the flame of intrigue very much alive. Consequently, the music filling the album is more in-depth than other contemporaries playing in this field of drum-free composition, or, if you prefer, ambience, classical, or a blend of all three.
III, dances around contemporary rhythm in free flight, letting go of the controls and sounding all the more powerfully exquisite for it. That chorus of voices is returned to on the infusion of uncertain bliss gathered around the formation of V. The sizzle of bowed strings highlights VI, leaving you at the point where memories begin to fade from view on the completion of VIII.
Who has the right to closure? It is an album full of depth and response. Of textures in quiet reflections that engage in myriad ways. It is also beautiful and contemplative, evoking the warm twilight of frayed exposure.
Release: July 4
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Skander Jaïbi
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