New Music From Jamie Lidell: Places of Unknowing

Larry Crane interviewed Jamie Lidell for Tape Op #129, and we chatted with Geoff Swan [#43] about Jamie's 2005 album, Multiply, for episode #27 of our DISCussion podcast.

His new album, Places of Unknowing, is a departure from his previous neo-soul leaning releases, and instead Mr. Lidell digs into a more cinematic approach on this collection of songs influenced by the work of David Sylvian and David Bowie. Utilizing strings, acoustic piano, woodwinds, symphonic percussion, and an overall orchestral approach laced with tripped out sonic treatments, Lidell moves into a new realm of songwriting and presentation that gives the listener a front row seat for this uniquely personal offering. His vocals are bold and up front, sitting atop open arrangements that create the mood and setting for each track. You can hear the previously mentioned influences of Sylvian and Bowie, and there are hints of Radiohead's and Björk's orchestral leaning tracks, but the work is not derivative sounding by any stretch. I have some long drives ahead of me in the coming weeks and Places of Unknowing will certainly be part of the soundtrack.

Places of Unknowing was produced and mixed by Lidell, and he partnered with classical musicians Rob Berger and Pascal Le Boeuf, the latter acting as music director for the project. Other contributors include Ethan Jodziewicz (bass), Lee Vinson (percussion), engineering was done by Joseph Passarelli and Kolyo Vanchev, and the album was mastered by Pete Lyman at Infrasonic Sound.