UPCOMING RELEASES

APOSTLES OF LIGHT

The new duo project from guitarist Ryan Mackstaller finds him teaming up with drummer Ziv Ravitz to produce largely improvised material weaving threads of free jazz, ambient electronic, and drone metal. The music pushes the two accomplished players past the conventional ranges of their instruments as Ravitz adds real-time computer sampling to compliment Mackstaller's guitar looping and manipulation. Apostles of Light have been recording and performing in Brooklyn, NY this past Summer and Fall and their upcoming debut release will kick off a East Coast/Midwest Tour slated for March.

"My fascination with duos really began with the terrific recordings from trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Ed Blackwell (Mu, El Corazon, et al). I loved the spirit of playfulness in their music, the use of space, and also their willingness to go beyond 'conventional' instrumentalist roles: singing, humming, playing piano. In that respect, I suppose Sun Ra and Art Ensemble of Chicago are further influences on the Apostles of Light project along with contemporary electronic/computer-based musicians who are pushing that genre into the live-improvisation realm (Kieran Hebden [aka Four Tet] with Steve Reid The Exchange Sessions as a recent example)." -Ryan Mackstaller

(Expected release Feb. 2007)