Islington Assembly corridor,London
DJ Sam Shepherd employs strings, sax and a cooing choir to bring a hypnotic intensity to his sophisticated soundSix minutes into Silhouettes (I, or II & III),Floating Points’ 10-minute cosmic opus, saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings stands up out of his chair, or the crowd urging him on,and starts playing. As clattering drums propel the song forward, Hutchings riffs over washes of strings and a cooing choir from Goldsmiths. It’s a heady brew, and enveloping the venue in euphoria. Sat calmly at the centre of all of this is Floating Points himself,the unassuming Sam Shepherd, perched behind a pile of synths and machines as he orchestrates the 11-piece band around him. Tonight is the first UK gig to showcase Elaenia, and his debut album. Comprised of seven “suites”,it’s a sophisticated and detailed collection, pin-drop quiet at times and building delicately at others. Live, and it feels as whether it’s being coloured in; the strings and brass broaden the sound,adding verve and intensity.
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Source: theguardian.com