Alabaster DePlume - To Cy & Lee: Instrumentals Vol. 1 (2020 LP with Obi)

This 2020 compilation draws from Alabaster DePlume's early albums (Copernicus 2012, The Jester 2013, Peach 2015) plus two 2017 recordings, collecting instrumental pieces that showcase his evolution from Manchester-based saxophonist into one of contemporary music's most distinctive voices. Released through a three-way partnership between International Anthem Recording Company, Total Refreshment Centre, and Lost Map Records, To Cy & Lee features an exceptional cast of UK improvisers and experimentalists including Sarathy Korwar on drums, Danalogue (The Comet Is Coming) on piano and voice, and a rotating ensemble of string players, percussionists, and vocalists. Pressed by Germany's prestigious Pallas facility and including IARC obi strip, TRC inner sleeve, and insert with photography and credits, this compilation offers entry into DePlume's world of gentle experimentalism, spiritual seeking, and emotional directness.

The 11 tracks span ambient textures, contemporary jazz improvisation, and experimental folk traditions, unified by DePlume's tenor saxophone and compositional vision. His approach favours patience over virtuosity, emotional honesty over technical display, creating music that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant. The ensemble features mbira, cello, bass flute, synth, and various percussion alongside DePlume's saxophone, guitar, and occasional vocals, creating sonic landscapes that draw from jazz, ambient music, folk traditions, and experimental approaches without committing exclusively to any single genre. The title references Cy Twombly and Lee Krasner, visual artists whose work shares DePlume's concern with gesture, emotion, and the transformation of simple materials into profound statements.

Mastered by David Allen and lacquer cut at SST GmbH, this heavyweight matte jacket pressing by Pallas ensures excellent sound quality befitting the music's dynamic range and textural detail. The IARC obi and TRC inner sleeve connect this compilation to two crucial hubs for contemporary experimental music in Chicago and London respectively, situating DePlume within a community of artists rethinking jazz, improvisation, and experimental music's relationship to emotional vulnerability and political consciousness.