{"product_id":"orson-claeys-othello","title":"Orson Claeys - Othello","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePianist and composer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrson Claeys\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e belongs to a wave of artists for whom jazz exists in constant dialogue with hip-hop, soul and contemporary culture. On his debut album, Claeys demonstrates a rare ability to absorb diverse influences while maintaining a strong and unmistakable sense of self. Rich in groove, atmosphere and imagination, it is a striking introduction to one of Belgium's most exciting new artists. For fans of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmbrose Akinmusire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert Glasper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJason Moran\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe title refers to Claeys' full name, Orson Dwight Othello Claeys, and reflects the album's central concern\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This broad perspective is evident in the album's carefully chosen collaborations. A track like \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHAT A NIGHT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\" first took shape during a studio session with indie-soul singer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSevens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose harmonic ideas laid the foundation for the track. As the composition evolved, Claeys felt it called for a stronger hip-hop voice. Through a recommendation from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMixmonster Menno\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTUFF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, he was introduced to L.A. rapper \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIAMOMNI\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose contribution brought exactly the energy and perspective the track needed. The result unfolds like a late-night journey through Los Angeles, with IAMOMNI's contribution adding a sense of movement, character, and place.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElsewhere on the album, \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSPIRAL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\", featuring Belgo-Brazilian vocalist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelena Casella\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, grew out of a long-standing mutual admiration. Conceived as a meeting point between R\u0026amp;B and jazz, the composition balances the groove and emotional depth of the former with the improvisational spirit and spontaneity of the latter. The collaboration developed naturally from the outset, with Casella instinctively understanding the atmosphere Claeys envisioned while enriching the music with her own warmth and nuance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA long-held ambition materializes on \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSHADOWBOXING\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\", where Claeys is joined by drummer, producer, and one of the key figures in contemporary Belgian jazz, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLander Gyselinck\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Gyselinck's work, particularly his collaboration with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZwangere Guy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePourriture Noble\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, was instrumental in showing Claeys how the language of hip-hop could coexist naturally with jazz, an idea that runs through \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOTHELLO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Drawing inspiration from boxing, the track is a musical equivalent of a fighter's walk towards the ring: focused, intense, and driven by the sense of anticipation that precedes stepping into the fight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter this heightened intensity, the album gradually moves toward its closing statement. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOUTRO \/ HANIN\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\", featuring oud player \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkram Ben Romdhane\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a longtime collaborator whose playing forms a natural bridge between Claeys' previous work and the broader musical landscape explored across the album. The title references the Tunisian Arabic word hanin, meaning \"nostalgia\", a fitting conclusion to a work deeply concerned with memory, identity, and personal history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SDBAN ULTRA","offers":[{"title":"White Vinyl LP","offer_id":60034823848281,"sku":"SDZ-54986","price":35.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/Untitled-Design-2_e014a453-9387-4378-8faa-7ba262d21e68.png?v=1792493223","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/orson-claeys-othello","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}