Versatile to release conceptual project The Explosion

Label boss Gilb’R heads up the group of musicians paying tribute to Terry Riley and more.

It’s been a bountiful year for Versatile, with the label still firmly in the public consciousness thanks to the widely lauded Five Steps album by Jonathan Fitoussi and Clemens Hourriere. Meanwhile label regular and one half of Chateau Flight Nicolas Chaix has only just announced that he has a new single under his I:Cube alias due to land at the end of October. The man at the helm of the imprint and the other half of Chateau Flight, Gilb’R, has meanwhile been experimenting with another project alongside keys wizard Fabrizio Rat and guitarist Giani Caserotto. The three were previously found on record together for the 2014 collaboration between Chateau Flight and Cabaret Contemporain, the band that Rat and Caserotto have both contributed their instrumental skills to. The release in question was called Terry Riley Cover EP, unsurprisingly created in tribute to the pioneering American minimal composer.

Now Gilb’R, Rat and Caserotto have realigned to form The Explosion, announcing their arrival with a six-track album due for release in late November. As well as a direct tribute to Duke Ellington, opening track “The Duke,” the accompanying press release also name checks a broad range of influences including Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Wolfgang Voigt. “The use of specific musical forms is of less importance than developing atmospheres, materials, intensities,” the text goes on to explain. “Whether they handle the piano, echoing pedals or synth modules, the three members of The Explosion share one aim: to capture the finest vibrations, the most beautiful tones produced by their instruments.”

Versatile Records will release The Explosion by The Explosion on November 20.

Tracklisting:

1. The Duke
2. Stratus
3. Three Worlds
4. Disco Blind
5. Let’s Love
6. Raga 4