REVIEW: Bandcamp Daily on Secular Psalms
It’s great to see Secular Psalms, the new album from Dave Douglas, chosen as “The Best Jazz on Bandcamp” for April 2022 by Bandcamp Daily!
In his monthly column on outstanding jazz releases, Dave Sumner,
The genesis of this work was a commission by the city of Ghent for the 600th anniversary of The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The music’s epic passages, grand flourishes, and compelling patchwork expressionism make for a nifty recreation of the Altarpiece’s dramatic history at St Bavo’s Cathedral. Contemporary and past influences shape the final work, inviting scenarios where the words of Marvin Gaye are carried upon the wings of instruments like serpent, prepared piano, lute, and electronics. This album is filled with truly stunning interludes of beauty and intensity.
You can read the full piece here, along with new music by Miles Okazaki, Emls Nillson, and Rob Clearfield & Quin Kirchner.
Secular Psalms is available on CD and digital via Bandcamp and other outlets here.
