Zabelov Group returns with a new recording

Zabelov Group returns with a new recording

Four new tracks accompanied by live videos are being published by Zabelov Group. The Czech-belarusian duo comprised of multi-instrumentalist Jan Šikl and singer accordionist Roman Zabelov yet again invited film maker Tomáš Vlček for a collaboration. Madhouse Session is the second recording released under the Minority Records label after the album Eg (2018).

While the previous album Eg is a precisely puzzled highly-developed studio piece which came into being at multiple locations with contributions by various artists and did not allow for all the tracks to be performed live due to its demanding nature, Madhouse Session is a live recording of concert preparations which were also partly introduced live e.g. at the German Jazzclub Tonne or as a support for Portico Quartet at the Spectaculare festival.

“Madhouse Session had a strong ambition to emancipate itself in the process of recording. Most of the old pieces were the work of Matouš Godík, which was noticeable in the sounds and we were very happy with the collaboration. However, we needed to try the sound production ourselves. From samples to master recording it was up to us, everything was created in a home studio where we rehearse. We have to say that we are happy with the result. It turned out that limits are often opportunities for new and interesting solutions. We feel that we finished the process of a sort of musical emancipation“ says Šikl.

EP Madhouse Session is comprised of four tracks, the name originates from the constricted atmosphere in society and personal feelings of isolation. Spoviedz carries within itself a hope and quiet pain, which turns itself into a shout and a courage to fight, Sun is a pulsing cinematic cycle, I’m OK talks about a spiritual transformation from affect into a state, which we call normal, Juli processes communication with a person who does not pay you enough attention and thus begins a complex verbal fight.

Roman Zabelovs’ vocals are also used on the largest scale so far in Madhouse Session: “I always felt a little insecure about my singing, but for a long time I have lacked the courage to go to a professional and seek help. Last year I was finally brave enough and had the opportunity to attend opera singing lessons at HAMU. It was an unbelievable experience, we learned how to breath and how to create a full, clear sound. I am very grateful for this opportunity, thinking back on it I realize how needed was the technical and psychological help I have received, “ adds Zabelov.

20% discount on all LP, 2LP, CD

20% discount on all LP, 2LP, CD

With winter approaching, we have prepared for you an event between November 14-28 with a 20% discount on all single and double LPs, CDs, valid with the code WINTER2024 in the label's e-shop. Complete your vinyl or CD collection with our carriers or the collection of your friends on time and at a discount. Thank you in advance for your support!

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Unique boxset Politique du silence by Sylvain Chauveau

Unique boxset Politique du silence by Sylvain Chauveau

Minority Records is releasing a unique boxset Politique du silence with three early albums from Sylvain Chauveau, French composer of minimalist neoclassical music.

“When I made my first albums as a composer, I was obsessed with minimalism, and this quote from the film director Robert Bresson summed up my state of mind. I set myself three principles: 1) Use silence as a starting point, 2) Only add sound when it's absolutely essential, 3) Don't imitate the Anglo-Saxon musicians I admired, but draw on the musical culture of my country, France which lead me to listen intensively to Satie, Debussy and Ravel.” Chauveau explains the background to his work.

The collection Politique du silence contains the recordings of Des plumes dans la tête (2004), Un autre Décembre (2003) and Nocturne impalpable (2001) on coloured 180 gram vinyls. The cover features artwork by French photographer Valéry Lorenzo.

“When I discovered the simple and powerful black and white pictures by Valéry Lorenzo, in the 90s, I immediately fell in love with them. We became good friends and since then I ask him to let me use one of his photos for most of my album covers, or to make my portrait for press shots. It has become a real collaboration, music and images, for more than 25 years. It was then logical to ask him again for the cover of this boxset, like a gentle reflection on my piano and strings era.It's a true honor for me to see my early music recollected, repackaged, remastered after all this time. Which gives me hope that this music, in which I've put all my soul and heart during the years 2001 to 2003, is maybe not forgotten yet.” Chauveau himself adds of his collaboration with Valéry Lorenzo.

The boxset Politique du silence is being released in two editions: a standard version and a limited version of 50 accompanied by a numbered and signed large-format photograph by Valéry Lorenzo. The limited edition will be available only through the Minority Records e-shop.

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Manon Meurt's new album finally releasedPlay

Manon Meurt's new album finally released

Intricate structures with an intertwining of spontaneity and randomness, meeting the diverse genre influences of the band members from medieval music to shoegaze to noise. That is Unravel, the new album, and first in six years, from Czech band Manon Meurt.

"Unravel reflects the different stages of dissociation, a person's thoughts, observations - whether of the environment or of oneself - and admiration for the beauty and cruelty that nature mirrors," multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Kateřina Elznicová says of the album.

Produced by Eddie Steven’s (Freakpower, Zero 7, Moloko, Róisín Murphy) the album was pieced together from recorded fragments, meticulously pieced together. The title Unravel refers to the development of the band, unravelling what they are to find the full potential of their music as well as uncovering the layered nature of the songs and emotions.

The combination of industrial material with plant motifs in the work Untitled_1 by Ukrainian artist Liza Libenko, which adorns the cover of Unravel, strongly attracted the band. After all, floral motifs have always been close to Manon Meurt's music. Libenko, a student of the Academy of Fine Arts and a finalist of the prestigious Austrian Strabag Artaward International Prize, has recently been working on overcoming the narrative boundaries of the canvas, the paintings "attack" the viewer. Sunflowers are a powerful symbol of life and the sun; in Libenko's paintings they are black and burnt, serving as an allegory for contemporary conditions. The work was photographed by photographer and artist Marcel Rozhoň, and the final processing of the Unravel album was done by graphic artist Zuzana Malá.

The album Unravel is released right now on all streaming platforms, CD and 180 gram LP in two colour variants.

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The second single from the forthcoming album UnravelPlay

The second single from the forthcoming album Unravel

Ambient industrial planes laced with electronics and pop as well as an attractive elusiveness—this is the new song Timeless from Czech band Manon Meurt. The second single from the forthcoming album Unravel, produced by Eddie Stevens, is coming out on Minority Records.

“Genre-wise, Timeless is an antipole of our autumn single Mirrors. Eddie has widened our sound spectrum and on Timeless, he emphasized the dynamics and the way we tell the story,” the drummer Jiří Bendl says.

British producer and musician Eddie Stevens became famous for his collaboration with Moloko and Róisín Murphy, however, he has been gaining accolades on the Czech and Slovak music scene as well where he has produced several award-winning albums.

“Timeless was written during the evenings on the way from work in trams and in the car, where life’s hum intensifies. Everyone is headed somewhere, in a rush, and the horizon is changing colour above all this, as if to oppose the hustle and bustle with its magnificence and to remind us of the triviality of this haste, of its fleetingness. I enjoy watching this hum, it reminds me how great it is that I can disconnect from it for a moment and just take in the present moment,” explained Kateřina Elznicová, the author of the lyrics and multi-instrumentalist, about the origin of the song.

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The Orff Brothers are going on tour in April and release Song for Stefania Sauer single on streaming servicesPlay

The Orff Brothers are going on tour in April and release Song for Stefania Sauer single on streaming services

The autumn release of The Orff Brothers' Šero and Bingriwingri album reissue on the Minority Records label will be followed up by the band's six-city tour in April. The Orff Brothers will perform on April 17 at the Jazz Tibet Club in Olomouc, on April 18 at the Dock in Ostrava, on April 19 at the Church of St. Janů in Opava, April 24 at the Kabinet Múz in Brno, April 25 at the Kasárna Karlín in Prague and April 26 at the Oskar Nedbal Theatre in Tábor.

The Orffs also prepared a small surprise for the fans - the release of the Song for Stefania Sauer on streaming platforms.

"We went back almost thirty years when this song was created and re-recorded it in a simple vocal arrangement with only the accompaniment of the talented young Krnov pianist Matěj Černý," says singer and guitarist Ivan Gajdoš. The contemplative Song for Stefania Sauer is accompanied by a video clip, which is supported by band members and tattoo artist and illustrator Nella Vilímková.

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