Alabaster DePlume has confirmed plans for new creative endeavour Prologue To A Blade.
The acclaimed composer, poet, and saxophonist is clearly in a creative mood, and has lined up a series of statements for 2024. The aim is to broaden his scope, matching his own distinctive musical flourishes against a handful of guests, while reinforcing his core values of dignity in healing and its impact on community, society, and humanity.
Working with International Anthem, new EP ‘Cremisan: Prologue To A Blade‘ kicks things off. It features two tracks recorded in Palestine with local musicians, pianist Sami El Enani and Qanoun player Laith Albandak, and a third track inspired by the experience of living in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The EP closes with ‘Gifts Of Olive‘ a solemn piece that references Refaat Alareer’s poem If I Must Die.
The composer comments…
“To set you up for what’s coming I’ve layered up these compositions in private, and with friends. It’s a prologue to what we’re bringing next. It ushers it in. I went towards things I feared, to be in the places where this music has come from. Places in the world and in myself, where dignity and sovereignty has its role in the work of healing.”
Check out ‘Cremisan: Prologue To A Blade‘ below.
Alongside this Alabaster DePlume has confirmed plans for a UK tour, and his first poetry collection, Looking For My Value: Prologue To A Blade.
A limited gatefold custom A6 pocket book featuring cover art by British illustrator Ian Wright and design by London-based Scot Jamie Coull, you can order it online now.
Photo Credit: Sofia Lambrou