qd52 James Murray - Islands Alight - out now!

quiet details
Jul 29
3 min read

Very happy to say that next in the quiet details series, with his second solo album on the label, is an artist with a uniquely special talent - UK-based James Murray, with Islands Alight

Out now on digital and limited CD with long-form edition, six panel digipack and fine art print. Digital half-price until 7th August.

Listening Party tomorrow Thursday 30th July 19:00 UK time - hope you can be there, free to join and all welcome x

Undoubtedly familiar to followers of the label - James first appeared in collaboration with our good friend Ian Hawgood on qd15 Slowreels - Everyday Exotic, a gorgeous example of what can happen when two wonderful musicians come together. Then again on his first individual album, qd23 Weeds - another spellbinding release.

Along with all his many other releases on the likes of Home Normal, Ultimae, Eilean Rec, Fluid Audio, Morr Music, his own Slowcraft and more - James is an artist dearly loved across the community.

Islands Alight is James combining his peerless ability to craft deeply touching synthetic vistas, now sent through a prism of rhythmic forms. Four years in the making, and much inspired by the history of dub in electronic music, James has made a singular and mesmerising work of art.

The introductory lush chordal waves and modulating melodic shapes are soon joined by the first indication of the true direction of this album - textural percussive patterns give us an initial glimpse into James’ vision.

Huge spaces open up and the drums morph into new forms; psychedelic echoes disintegrate into the distance; the emotions of the listener are brought to the forefront by radiant synth contours that reach into your consciousness.

The album evolves from here - countless textures and beautifully subtle percussive programming meshes perfectly with James’ melodic refinement - hypnotic, all- encompassing, and one of a kind.

As James says:

Islands Alight making landfall amidst these relentless heatwaves and impending drought feels about right; environmental anxiety courses through the album like wildfire, consciously balanced only by the rising of pale, elemental waters.

Developed over four years, the origins go back further still. Drawing together wide- screen melodic, rhythmic and electroacoustic concerns, Islands Alight stands as a deliberate, defining work at the confluence of ambient dub roots and the artist I am now.

Huge thanks to James, a fantastic addition to the series.

The artwork was made as always influenced by the music and idea behind the album - originating from a photo from James which was then captured with analogue photography and processed here at quiet details studios.

As usual, the album is presented on the physical edition, a custom six-panel digipack with a separate fine art print too.

The CD also has a special long-form continuous mix of the album, unique and representing the music in its purest form.

Credits:

Music by James Murray

Mastered by Alex at quiet details studios

Artwork by quiet details in collaboration with James Murray

Design by quiet details

Also out is the second run of qd46 Machinefabriek - Lijnverkenning - a true sonic adventure - limited so there now if you want.

From the release post:

Known for his ability to bring together various strands of musical exploration - from electro-acoustic, field recording, ambience, drone, sound art and minimalism - he has created something completely unique in the quiet details seriesLijnverkenning is an album of sparse and powerful textural beauty.

Machinefabriek’s innate comprehension of the potential of sound to affect us in profound and unknowable ways.

This is an album where the personality of the machines dictated the direction of music - carefully and deftly guided by Rutger’s intuition and musicality.

There’s an exquisite subtlety throughout, layers of sound implying so much and the interplay creating something incredibly moving.

https://www.quietdetails.com/post/qd46-machinefabriek-lijnverkenning-out-now

Now shout-outs - huge thanks to:

qd52 James Murray

Mike S playing a track on KMXT here

Richard Heinemann playing a track on his show here

qd51 Andreas Tilliander

Hiss and Float for including the album here

Kate Bosworth playing a track on The Dark Train here

qd48 fields we found

Dominic playing a track on Elysian Fields here

fields we found