{"product_id":"matt-carmichael-held-in-the-dark","title":"Matt Carmichael - Held in the Dark","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcclaimed Scottish saxophonist and composer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatt Carmichael\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e returns with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeld in the Dark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a deeply personal album reflecting the experience of supporting a loved one through ongoing health struggles - exploring the nuances of isolation, resilience and hope\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe album brings together long- standing friends and collaborators from Scotland's thriving music scene. Guitarists \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChris Amer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Mackay\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecorto.alto\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) introduce new colours and textures to Carmichael's sound, alongside \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharlie Stewart\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (violin), \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStephen Henderson\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (drums), Mercury Prize-shortlisted pianist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFergus McCreadie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and bassist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAli Watson\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, many of whom have played together since their teenage years. For the first time, Carmichael was joined in the studio by a co-producer: Canadian singer-songwriter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichelle Willis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Crosby\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecca Stevens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), now based in Scotland, who brought a fresh pair of ears from outside the jazz world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidely recognised for his distinctive blend of jazz and folk influences, Carmichael expands his musical world on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeld in the Dark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Drawing inspiration from the intimacy, warmth and guitar- led soundscapes of singer- songwriter records, the album embraces a more indie- folk aesthetic while remaining rooted in the improvisational freedom and collective chemistry that define his music and live performances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThroughout the record, Carmichael's saxophone and compositional voice act as a narrator, guiding the emotional arc while creating space for each musician's personality to emerge. Rather than placing virtuosity at the forefront, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeld in the Dark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e finds its strength in storytelling, atmosphere and emotional connection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeld in the Dark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Carmichael delivers his most personal work to date, broadening the scope of his musical language while retaining the lyricism, warmth and emotional depth that have established him as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary European jazz.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PORTHOLE MUSIC","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl LP","offer_id":59633473323353,"sku":"SDZ-53520","price":32.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/0046345827_10.jpg?v=1790764562","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/matt-carmichael-held-in-the-dark","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}