Released by: HC Productions
Release date: April 15th 2019
Topanga, CA. Djam Karet have just finished recording their 19th album, titled A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof. The group was formed back in 1984, and this is a celebration of the band’s 35 years together. Featuring all four original members of the group, this is by far their most melodic and acoustic album to date. Combining analog and modular synthesizers with numerous acoustic instruments from around the world, Djam Karet is exploring new territory on this psychedelic journey of discovery. Harmonium, dilruba, mbira, sitar, udu and other exotic instruments, help bring a warm vibe to this highly melodic and visionary work. Swirling electronic soundscapes expand to reveal new acoustic environments of exotic goodness. In order to maintain a more lively and dynamic sound, no compression was used in the mixing of this album. Created in a style that is somewhat similar to their previous album Sonic Celluloid, this new work has a sound that is a blend of West Coast Psychedelic music, UK Canterbury, and 1970’s Progressive music … and is sure to become a fan favorite!
A Sky Full Of Stars For A Roof was created to be listened to as a whole album, all the way through. Not a mere collection of songs, this album is 45 minutes of music that ebbs and flows through peaks and valleys of immense beauty. Gayle Ellett explained
“We wanted to blend exotic acoustic instruments with electronic synths in a new and unique way, to create a new sound, that would help us rise up to a higher level of creativity and quality … and hopefully with this new album we’ve achieved our goal.”
Featured guest musicians include Willie Nelson’s son Micah Nelson (from Neil Young’s band) on charango, Todd Montgomery (Fernwood) on sitar, Mark Cook (Herd Of Instinct) on fretless guitar and bass, and Shannon Michael Terry (Primal Future Now) on mbira.
Thru August 31st, 2019, all purchases of the new album will also come with TWO FREE digital-only companion albums that represent the 2 layers of music in the recording process of A Sky Full Of Stars For A Roof. Titled Beyond The Long Twilight and The Crows of Dust Fall at Night, these two releases are layers of music, pulled from the master mix. The first one: Beyond The Long Twilight has all of the acoustic instruments and drums & bass removed, creating a greater focus on the remaining Electronic soundscapes that underlie these compositions. And the second album: The Crows of Dust Fall at Night has nearly all of the electronic synthesizers removed, creating a greater focus on the remaining acoustic instruments.
Available at their website www.DjamKaret.com and also on www.Bandcamp.com
Their new music video, from the new album
1 Beyond The Frontier 5:49
2 Long Ride To Eden 5:58
3 West Coast 5:57
4 A Sky Full Of Stars For A Roof 11:05
5 Dust In The Sun 3:00
6 On The Third Day Arrived The Crow 4:03
7 Specter Of Twilight 3:27
8 Night Falls 4:58
total time: 44:34
All music composed by Djam Karet
Produced, mixed and mastered by Gayle Ellett
Recorded at Foggy Mountain Studios in Topanga and White Arrow Studios in Claremont, California
Art design: Mike Murray
Drum tech: Sebastian Harris
Gayle Ellett: harmonium, dilruba, acoustic & electric guitars, 8 & 4 string tenor ukulele, vibraphone, viola, Greek bouzouki, EBow, upright bass, analog synth, Hammond organ, Mellotron choir, gopichand, tar, mbira, wooden flutes, surmandal, tanpura, cumbus, congas, udu, krakebs, tambourine, bicycle bell, and field recordings
Mike Henderson: electric guitar, 12 string acoustic guitar, slide guitar, synthesizers
Chuck Oken jr.: analog and digital keyboard sequencing and soundscapes, drums
Henry Osborne: bass
Mike Murray: acoustic guitar (3), electric mandocello (1, 3)
GUEST PLAYERS:
Todd Montgomery: sitar (1, 2, 6), Irish bouzouki (6)
Micah Nelson: charango (3 & 5)
Mark Cook: electric guitar, fretless guitar, bass (7)
Shannon Michael Terry: Array mbira (5)
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