Mark de Clive-Lowe explores his cultural roots with ‘Heritage’ release
Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, producer, and live remixer Mark de Clive-Lowe releases the first of a two album series exploring his cultural roots.
Titled Heritage, the brilliant seven-track recording is de Clive-Lowe’s most personal to date, diving deep into his Japanese ancestry. Throughout the album, the music combines traditional Japanese folk with jazz, electronic beats, hypnotic melodies, and spiritual grooves. From track to track, the album flows extremely well, taking the listener on a journey inspired by both Japanese mythology and his own childhood experiences.
On the recording, MdCL is backed by a strong cast of notable LA-based musicians including alto saxophonist/flutist Josh Johnson (Leon Bridges/Esperanza Spalding), tenor saxophonist Teodross Avery (Talib Kweli/Mos Def), bassist Brandon Eugene Owens (Terrace Martin/Robert Glasper), drummer Brandon Combs (Moses Sumney) and percussionist Carlos Niño (Build An Ark/Lifeforce Trio).
Recorded live last June at The Blue Whale in Los Angeles, Heritage is de Clive-Lowe’s 15th, and arguably best album to date. For an artist that continues to be one of the most forward-thinking of his time with many innovative albums over the past two decades, that declaration is certainly saying a lot. Overall, this is definitely one of the best records to come out in the first two months of 2019.
Mark de Clive-Lowe — ‘Heritage’
(Ropeadope)
