Espaces LP

Description

limited edition 180g black vinyl - numbered 200 copies with insert. Following a series of critically acclaimed albums, most notably „Zeit”, released in 2024 on the legendary R&S Records (early home of Aphex Twin, James Blake and Synkro), Hatti Vatti returns with another outstanding release on U Jazz Me. On „Espaces”, Piotr Kaliński continues to develop his distinctive artistic vision alongside some of the leading figures of the Polish jazz scene: Piotr Chęcki, Paweł “Wuja HZG” Stachowiak and Rafał Dutkiewicz. This time, alongside energetic, richly textured compositions built around electronics, saxophone, bass guitar and drums, the album also embraces moments of calm and musical minimalism. Espaces is an album defined by space — as its title suggests — unexpected sonic combinations, and references to the psychedelic atmosphere of the film Picnic at Hanging Rock, the work of the Polish band Laboratorium, and the dub sounds emerging from the legendary Jamaican studio of King Tubby. Above all, however, Hatti Vatti remains true to its own unmistakable sonic identity — one that has earned recognition far beyond Poland’s borders — and to the unique meeting of distinct musical personalities that lies at the heart of the project. “For me, this new album brings the trilogy of Szum, Zeit and Espaces LPs to a close. All three narratives are connected stylistically, personally and conceptually. It all started with Szum, when I began playing live with Wuja HZG and Rafał Dutkiewicz. Together with this lineup — plus Piotr Chęcki, who joined us a little later — we recorded and performed live shows around Zeit. Espaces is a natural continuation of this direction, featuring the same lineup. The material on this album is quite experimental and minimal, resting on three pillars: synth-based ambient, improvised jazz and traditional 1970s dub techniques. Some of the tracks were written a long time ago and had been waiting for the right moment to come to life, while some of the arrangements and ideas emerged just before the album was mixed earlier this year. In that sense, the album also marks the end of a certain chapter in my own history and in the history of the band. After all, Hatti Vatti is a band — led by me, of course, but bringing together a group of very interesting musicians with diverse musical backgrounds and distinctive sounds, who nevertheless manage to create something that is uniquely our own. I’m really happy with this album and with the spaces we’ve created within it. I’m not even sure where this journey was supposed to take us, but moving towards its final destination felt entirely intuitive, without the need for lengthy discussions or explanations. That’s where the title comes from. On a separate note, I really like the direction U Jazz Me is taking, and I’m glad to be able to contribute to this concept at this particular moment, with this particular album.” Piotr Kaliński