Initiative H

Initiative H – Initiative H X Moondog (Sax Pax for a Sax Remix) (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:00:55 minutes | 667 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neuklang

Recorded live in the South of France as part of the “”Moondog Season””, the new album from the 13-member Neo-Bigband, Initiative H, highlights the work “”Sax Pax for a Sax”” by composer Moondog, originally recorded by the London Saxophonic in 1994. The arranger and bandleader, David Haudrechy, pays tribute to “”Viking of Sixth Avenue”” with this quivering homage to the magistral work and thus presents an avant-garde project which has long been expected by jazz lovers. We discover the unique and clear encounter between a visionary composer and an adventurous orchestra. The large ensemble, Initiative H, revives Moondog’s unique music and breathes new life into it: remixed, intensified, and modified; even if this meant knocking around the original compositions. This daring explorer, Moondog, paved the way for the admiration of the greatest jazz legends such as Charlie Parker. His experimental work, consisting of modernity and nostalgia, shaped generations of musicians to which David Haudrechy belongs. In this remix and under direction of the legendary Prophet, Initiative H dedicates itself to the task of revealing the modernity of the work, but not by copying it; instead, by performing it in the style of “”Haudrechy””. Founded in 2012 by David Haudrechy, Initiative H took the ambitious challenge to create a dense, modern and passionate music transcending the genres jazz, rock, electro and 20th century music. The powerful sound of this 21st century orchestra is fed by the energy of a big collective project where each musician has ist certain place. The interpretation is masterly, the engagement absolute and the listener will be completely absorbed by the telling power of this music. A musical adventure, human, urban, which makes Initiative H an unavoidable entity of the renovation of the French jazz scene. Considering his passion for surfing, snowboarding and skating, the genre crossover in saxophonist David Haudrechy 700;s music is more than understandable. The thrill, the shiver, the risk, all sensations are also part of the iconic picture of Dark Wave, under the direction and composition of David Haudrechy. He developed his own, liberate, musical language as much inspired by Berlioz and Moussorgski as by Gill Evans, Carla Bley, but also King Crimson and Arvo Pa 776;rt. Unexpected and paradox like in a slalom is the musical process between the different projects surrounding the band.

(more…)

Read more

Initiative H – Broken Land (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 53:59 minutes | 564 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neuklang

After two critically acclaimed albums, DEUS EX MACHINA and DARK WAVE, the French Bigband Initiative H is releasing a third opus; BROKEN LAND, modeled on Grieg’s “Peer Gynt Suite” or Moussorgsky’s “Pictures of an Exhibition”.

The origin of this album is tied to a climatological study. In this, it is assumed that we have reached the “climatic point of no return” since 3rd August 2017.

BROKEN LAND embodies the sound and visual soundtrack of this dark assessment; a sombre and imposing, but also fragile and intimate piece of music that allows the listener to glide into an imaginary road movie.

Far from fatalism, this album also creates a consciousness that conveys hope; to fight and not give up. BROKEN LAND provides a new impetus – strong, sensitive and bright all at the same time.

(more…)

Read more

Initiative H – Polar Star (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 56:04 minutes | 649 MBGenre: Jazz Fusion
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Neuklang

Based on their first four works (Deus Ex Machina, Dark Wave, Broken Land, IH x Moondog), with “Polar Star” the big band presents another real suite, just as David Haudrechy likes to compose his works.

The genesis of this piece is an ode to the explorers who visited “the ends of the worlds”, the North and South Poles. Between icebergs, extreme cold, icy waters, endless landscapes, clear skies, currents and crazy expeditions like those of Jean-Louis Etienne with Ocean Polaire.

Polar Star embodies the visual and soundtrack of these madcap epics: a music that is simultaneously intimate, fragile and epic, and at times abysmal to escape into a dreamlike exploration film.

It’s a “consciousness” album that cares about the extreme beauty of the world, but also a message full of hope: to marvel and keep doing it. “Polar Star” reveals a new breath that is at once powerful, sensitive and luminous It’s an epic whirlwind that plunges us into the depths of a progressive jazz with rock, electro and sometimes pop fragments.
(more…)

Read more