Minco Eggersman and Theodoor Borger started collaborating under the moniker UNIFONY. For this project they invite various guest musicians to find the pure essence of music with them. Together, they wander off the beaten track and rediscover purity by experimenting. They do not compose music based on musical notes but they use carefully crafted layered sounds instead.
UNIFONY II shows us how music can talk to the heart without knowing how this happens. This second album in the series by Minco and Theodoor has come into being during what turned out to be a difficult time for Theodoor. At the end of the period around UNIFONY I Theodoor ended up suffering from a long depression.
The world stopped turning and the sun did no longer rise for the 37-year-old musician and engineer. In these dark times music was one of the powers that kept him going. The friendship with Minco and the free form in which the music of UNIFONY could come to life offered him the room to let go what held him back.
Taking serious the smallest musical ideas by Theodoor and encouragement by Minco gave Theodoor comfort, satisfaction and purpose. Recognizing all of this by Minco, who recorded a similar period on his solo album HAMDEN before, created a deepening of their bond.
Within the UNIFONY-project, collaboration is sought after with one or more musicians every time. This time it is Aaron Parks (piano) and Óskar Gudjónsson (saxophone) who made the songs even more powerful with their inspiring ideas. Óskar’s soft tones Theodoor got to know from the album ‘The Box Tree’ by Skúli Sverrisson and Óskar Gudjónsson in 2013 which has become a classic since. While traveling Iceland Theodoor discovered this special album and thus Óskar ended up on his shortlist for a UNIFONY cooperation. And so it happened.
The piano virtuoso Aaron Parks, famous for his work for Blue Note Records and ECM Records, had been on Minco’s wish list for ages. After listening to UNIFONY I Aaron was immediately interested in working with them. His clear and jazzy way of playing put Eggersman and Borger’s compositions in a different spotlight and his interpretations and harmonies ensured inspiration for all involved. Immediately after Aaron’s European tour Minco and Aaron drove to Theodoor’s studio where an intimate atmosphere arose in a relatively short time, in which Aaron responded to Eggersman and Borger’s rough ideas without any preparation and at the spot. The result was especially good and eventually inspired Óskar Gudjónsson for his part.
JAMES MARSH – BOB LUDWIG
This special project started with the collaboration of Theodoor and Minco while working on the album ‘RESERVOIRS’ of the latter. While working together on this album Minco and Theodoor discovered the love they shared for the specific sound and music from the eighties. When James Marsh later discovered this album and Minco wrote a short text for the ‘Spirit of Talk Talk’ book, things came full circle.
The UNIFONY artwork is again by James Marsh, who has become part of this special project. The British designer is not only responsible for all the iconic Talk Talk album covers, but also worked together with artists like Jamiroquai and Gerry Rafferty.
To top it off, the album has been mastered by none other than 11x Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Bob Ludwig. He has worked with artists like Radiohead, Nirvana, Paul McCartney, Madonna and many, many others.
UNIFONY is a tribute to the work ethic of the eighties: being able to spend time in an inspiring studio, using great instruments and recording equipment without constant pressure. Theodoor’s studio was the place for them where these unique UNIFONY songs could grow. This method and quality was recognized and appreciated by others, which led to Aaron, Óskar, James and Bob joining forces. In the end, UNIFONY is the final result of all this talent.
Release date: 14.8.2020
EAN CD: 8718627231258
EAN LP (by Music On Vinyl): 8719262014718
Tracklisting:
1:Observe
2:Discovery
3:Fever
4:Deliverance
5:Drain
6:Dusk
7:Updown
8:Allan
9:Mercy
10:Move
11:Abide
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