When I first had the chance to listen at Markus Stockhausen performing live at Conservatorio Nicolini in Piacenza, some years ago, I immediately had the intuition of this musical meeting.

I was sure that the poetry of Lino Capra Vaccina will melt with Markus’ one in a completely intuitive, spontaneous way, creating something really unusual, really new. When, some months later, I had the chance to produce then meet the great Santoor player Alireza Mortazavi for the album Hamdelaneh (with Markus, on Dark Companion DC09) I was also sure that Alireza could add his immaginative vision making the music in this album even more unique, I desired so much to add to our Dark Companion catalog, this cooperation music, and the project took a special place in my heart.

Now that is done, reality surpassed my most adventurous dream. This is an album of Free Music by some dear friends who are really Free Spirits. I asked my dearest friend, songwriter, musician and music critic Paul Roland to write the liner notes to this masterpiece.

Max Marchini

This extraordinary music is the result of Max Marchini’s inspiration to invite two very different musicians to come together in the spirit of mutual collaboration.

Lino and Markus always had great respect for each other, but it wasn’t until they were brought together in a recording studio that they each immediately recognized a like-minded spirit and produced music that is truly exceptional. Alireza joined them shortly after.

All three musicians are sensitive in their own way and at the same time intense, fiercely independent and yet sympathetic and finely attuned to each other. It was a revelation both to them and to those present at the session to hear the way they worked together, how closely their characters matched and the music evolved as naturally as if they had been playing together for years.

The sound ambience often seems sparse, understated and yet is vibrant and welcoming. The timbres of the three instruments create an uncommon ensemble. Lino’s choices of instruments are unexpected and his ideas beautiful whilst maintaining an almost ritualistic feel. As is Alireza’s approach to performances on the santur; his sensitivity is remarkable and completely in sympathy with his fellow musicians, while on some tracks choosing completely unconventional ways of playing his instrument. Markus too astonishes yet again with his very personal sound and effortless skill to spin infinite melodic inventions and variations on spontaneous ideas.

Together they converse in a shared musical language, alternating between profound and sweetly tender exchanges to produce music very much of the moment but also – incredibly – an undisputedly durable music demanding repeated listening. It’s an entirely spontaneous method of composition bordering on alchemy. Call it Art music, or better still, Free Spirits at play.

Paul Roland

1 Free Spirits 10:19

2 Face To Face 7:50

3 Rising Sun 7:38

4 Changing Worlds 8:09

5 Human Research 6:39

6 Inland Sea 4:02

7 Burning Cry 5:05

8 Venus In Scorpio 3:36

9 Divine Experiment 4:54

10 Thankfulness 11:22

11 Mystery 5:09

Composed by Lino Capra Vaccina and Markus Stockhausen

Except for Tracks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 Composed by Vaccina, Stockhausen and Mortazavi

Percussion, Vibraphone, Gong, Chimes, Drums, Timpani, Cymbal – Lino Capra Vaccina

Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Markus Stockhausen

Santur – Alireza Mortazavi (tracce: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11)