First pressing of 600 copies on BLACK vinyl with artwork xinako espinoza and layout/design by Dylan Marcus McConnell.
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We are beyond thrilled to present the latest from South African drummer / cultural worker / organizer Asher Gamedze. I'm sure many of you are familiar with his incredible debut Dialectic Soul (On The Corner, 2020) or his work with Angel Bat Dawid & Tha Brothahood, and we're happy to unveil another side of Gamedze's work with out side work | two duets.
out side work | two duets is a very literal album as the album features Gamedze in a conversation of sorts, a recording made more for the enjoyment of playing together rather than being planned as a release. Quite literally, the record consists of two improvised duets, one with fellow Brothahood member Xristian Espinoza (who's artwork graces the cover and insert of the record as well) and one with Alan Bishop (Sun City Girls, Alvarius B., Sublime Frequencies).
As Gamedze mentions in the liner notes, this is "Free time" - both in terms of the music itself and the multi-directional possibilities that each duo aspires toward. This record wasn't made to capitalize on anything, it focuses instead on those out side moments of possibility: music on the other side of Time.
One of the things that makes Gamedze so unique is how his playing is both conversational but also slyly lifts up those around him. His writing and playing on Dialectic Soul drove the group behind the album, and the same can be said here on out side work | two duets. Xristian Espinoza & Alan Bishop shine, painting, stretching and conversing with Time. Whilst channeling a playful urgency, their ideas unfurl with an unhurried and patient logic. All in real time, free time, out side of time, and that is truly what makes this album an amazing new statement from Gamedze, Espinoza & Bishop, furthering what each has done and will do long into the future.
ASHER GAMEDZE ON out side work | two duets
side notes
What is outside of work? Work’s out sides? How might it mean to work on the out side? Is that even a place of work? And what could that sound feel and look like?
Time outside of work has, under racial capitalism, been when oppressed and exploited people have produced their own things: Culture: Food: Music: Art: Fun: Joy: Etc. It’s also been the time to build and sustain community and organise against the conditions of work and life: Unions: Collectives: Street Committees: Worker Councils: Movements: Associations: Vanguards: Organisations: Etc. Many other pursuits also take place outside of work: Love: Romance: Sport: Family Time: Games: Study: Dancing: Rest: Etc. It’s a site of possibility. It’s our own time. Free time. Break. Recess. It’s that one place/time that is not on the clock even though it’s haunted by it. Freedom from the clock and Clocking out. Outside of clocking in is when we might be able to move to our own time, before we have to go back inside.
One wonders what is on the other side of work, or at least, on the other side of labour. Work is something that has existed historically; beyond the current dispensation. Out side of this dispensation, work is how we have externalised the best parts of ourselves so that we might, collectively enjoy the fruits. Under the tyranny of capital, the fruits of our labour are not enjoyed by ourselves but those we work for.
Perhaps to truly work is to end the possibility of an inside.
Forward and outward, ever.
Asher Gamedze
Cape Town, April 2021
credits
released April 1, 2022
tenor saxophone and percussion on 'robbing the clock': xristian espinoza
alto saxophone and voice on 'wild cat strike': alan bishop
drum kit on both sides: asher gamedze
all music spontaneously composed by the musicians in question
'robbing the clock' was recorded at total refreshment centre in london, united kingdom in november 2019 by dave vettraino and david allen
'wild cats strike' was recorded at dream studio in cairo, egypt in december 2020 by adham zidan
album mixed by carl roberts with asher gamedze at sound and motion studios in cape town in march 2021
album mastered by mikey young
album art by xristian espinoza
design by dylan marcus mcconnell / tiny little hammers
album produced by asher gamedze
thanks
nate for the straight forwardness and making it happen; scottie and david at international anthem for their generosity; the engineers -- dave vettraino, adhma zidan, carl roberts and mikey young for their skills, ears, time and energy; and angel bat dawid and maurice louca for the spirit of collectivity and fellowship which are the conditions of possibility for out side work.
supported by 223 fans who also own “out side work | two duets with xristian espinoza and alan bishop”
Rob is a very approachable & likeable player. This latest release is a sort of updated version of the Bruford/Moraz duets. Quin Kirchner is a perfect partner! Stephen Roberts
supported by 223 fans who also own “out side work | two duets with xristian espinoza and alan bishop”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer
This rich and melodic album comes from a jazz quartet made up of three Chicago musicians and an Amsterdam-based pianist. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 26, 2022
