Henceforth Records was formed to help keep the music going, to add to the world of sound by bringing experimental, improvisational, electronic,and contemporary classical music to a wider audience. We may even add other genres as we find music we love. Most of the music that appeals to us is very hard to classify. We know that it is often not “popular” but we do feel that it is creative, beautiful, and necessary.
Henceforth Records now has a catalog of 6 CDs, including the just released "Cities and Eyes" with Andrea Parkins and Jessica Constable. This newest (6th) CD is an extraordinary debut disc from Skein, a duo project from internationally lauded improvising artists Andrea Parkins, electric accordion, effects, samples and live processing, synthesizers, piano, voice and Jessica Constable, voice, electronics. The disc comprises a study in diversity, and how could it be otherwise? Parkins and Constable bring deep musical intuition to the drafting table, not to mention worlds of experience that defy the falsely imposed limits of geographical location. Both artists experiment without ceasing, reveling in the possibilities of each new sonic experience.
Our fifth CD was released February, 2008. This is a remarkable CD composed by Lisle Ellis: "Sucker Punch Requiem: An homage to Jean-Michel Basquiat." The musicians performing are Lisle Ellis, bass, electronics and sound design; Pamela Z, vocals and electronics; George Lewis, trombone; Oliver Lake, saxophones; Mike Wofford, piano; Holly Hofmann, flute; and Susie Ibarra, percussion.
The fourth CD, "Minamo" with improvising duo Carla Kihlsted and pianist, Satoko Fujii was released in October, 2007 to rave reviews, notebly by Ben Ratliff in the New York Times.
Gustavo Aguilar's "unsettled on an old sense of place" was our third release. The Wire’s Julian Cowley thought it fabulous, as do many other reviewers. Aguilar is a brilliant percussionist and composer who has put together an ensemble of musicians to perform his music.
The second CD was "Baggerboot" with Gunda Gottschalk, violin/viola; Ute Volker, accordion, both from Wuppertal, Germany (home of many of our favorites: Peter Brotzmann, Pina Bausch, and the late Peter Kowald); and Peter Jacqumyn, bass from Belgium. We heard their trio play at the Antwerp Festival in 2004 and realized that we wanted to hear them again and again.
The very first CD was "Sound on Survival" with Lisle Ellis, bass; Marco Eneidi, saxophone; and Peter Valsamis, percussion. These recordings were made when the trio was on a US tour during 2004. (More extensive information is available at www.soundonsurvival.com). This trio, to me, is intense and exciting, with their technical chops matched by their exuberant passion.
Henceforth Records will also produce music by soloists and groups whose vision and musicality adds to creativity. All CD’s are available through our web site: www.henceforthrecords.com or CDBaby.com. as well as many other digital sites and some retail stores. Enjoy.
