Island In The Red Night Sky CD/LP

Released 2022 (CD) / 2023 (LP) | HC Productions | HC020 (CD) / HC020B (LP)

Island In The Red Night Sky (CD)

1. Arrival (6.05)
2. The Master's Palace (5.53)
3. The Continuum (4.39)
4. CODE-T1242 (5.01)
5. The Other Side (7.13)
6. Light Scattering By Small Particles (3.29)
7. Woolsey Town (7.50)
8. A New Dawn (5.06)

All music composed by Djam Karet
Produced, mixed and mastered by Gayle Ellett
Recorded at Foggy Mountain Studios in Topanga and White Arrow Studios in Claremont, California
Visuals by Gustaf Fjelstrom

Djam Karet have just finished recording their 20th album, titled Island In The Red Night Sky. The group was formed back in 1984, and this is a celebration of the band's 38 years together. Featuring all four original members of the group, this is the band's darkest release so far. It was conceived as the companion release to their previous album A Sky Full Of Stars For A Roof. Island In The Red Night Sky is a dystopian view of the world we currently live in. Gayle Ellett explained "Working on this album has provided a bit of an escape, an island of reprieve, from the dark pandemic that looms over us all like a menacing red night sky."

Combining analog and modular synthesizers with numerous acoustic instruments from around the world, Djam Karet is exploring new territory on this dark psychedelic journey of discovery. Greek bouzouki, harmonium, sitar, udu, talking drum and other ethnic instruments, help bring a warm vibe to this highly melancholic and visionary work. Swirling electronic soundscapes expand to reveal new environments of pensive menace, as unusual found-sounds merge with traditional instruments, creating a unique netherworld of sound. In order to maintain a more lively and dynamic sound, no compression was used in the mixing of this album. Created in a style that is somewhat similar to their previous album A Sky Full Of Stars For A Roof, this new work has a sound that is at times both familiar and foreign...and is sure to become a fan favorite!

Island In The Red Night Sky was created to be listened to as a whole album, all the way through. Not a mere collection of songs, this album is 46 minutes of music that ebbs and flows through peaks and valleys of menacing beauty. Gayle Ellett explained "We wanted to blend exotic acoustic instruments with dark electronic synths and found-sounds, in a new and unique way, to create a new sound that would help us rise up to a higher level of creativity and quality...and hopefully with this new album we've achieved our goals.

Featured guest musicians include Todd Montgomery (Fernwood) on sitar, Mark Cook (Herd Of Instinct) on guitar and piano, and chanting by Hani Naser.