After nearly nine years of living in NYC and being an
in-demand sideman for the likes of Omer Avital, Myron Walden, Wallace Roney,
Ari Hoenig, bassist Avishai Cohen, Camila Meza, trumpeter Avishai Cohen and
many others, pianist/composer/bandleader Eden Ladin proudly announces the
release of his debut album, Yequm, to be released on Dayna Stephens' label,
Contagious Music on October 6. This long awaited moment reveals an artist who
has paid his dues, gained knowledge and racked up experience. During his time
on the scene he has allowed his artistry to steep in the longstanding tradition
of being a first call sideman in New York City. Therefore, what we hear on his
debut album, Yequm, is a fully-formed artist who was able to sit in silence,
listen to the music resonating in his mind, and uncover a personal narrative of
original compositions, reflecting years of musical exploration, traveling back
and forth between New York and Tel Aviv, and experiences around the world. The
music is co-interpreted by Dayna Stephens, John Ellis, Gilad Hekselman, Harish
Raghavan and Daniel Dor, alongside special guests Camila Meza and Yonatan
Albalak. The title - Yequm is Hebrew for "Universe." Welcome to
pianist Eden Ladin's Yequm, an exciting, unique and brilliant debut from a
young artist bursting with talent and promise.
Contagious Music label owner/saxophonist/composer/bandleader
Dayna Stephens said of Ladin and Yequm, "Eden has a limitless imagination
when it comes to melody harmony and how to weave his influences into his sound.
I've being inspired by his writing and playing and in both aspects he clearly
has a strong foundation that comes from studying masters that span many genres.
As I've seen him develop over the years he has built on that foundation a
unique sound creation that is beautifully displayed on Yequm. When hearing it
for the first time, Eden mentioned to me that he hadn't found a way to release
it, the solution then became obvious, this is NEED TO HEAR music to my ears,
and through Contagious Music I'll do my best to allow it to blossom."
About The Music on Yequm with Eden Ladin:
Lonely Arcade Man - The entire album is comprised of
original compositions by Ladin. This was originally written as an electronic
track and is based on an imaginary story the pianist/composer had about a
character trapped inside an arcade game. "Every time someone plays the
game he is happy, but once they're finished he lives inside this little digital
world by himself. Sometimes I can feel like this man (don't we all?)."
Smell / Faded Memory - This tune was in progress for many
years, and has had many transfigurations. The first four bars come from an idea
Ladin had back in 2006, when he was still in his teens and wasn't completed
until 2013/2014. "In other words this song was a work in progress for
about 9 years. The song examines that feeling you get when you recognize a
familiar smell from the past. For example a hint of that perfume your
grandmother wore when you were 5 can revive vivid childhood memories, almost
like a flashback. That sensation is really unique."
From The Frozen Cave - This serves as intro to the next
track on the album. "Throughout the years I've worked a lot with one of my
best friends and musical brother, Yonatan Albalak. It was very important for me
to have him on this record, even if for one track (as he lives in Israel). I
sent him the track, told him the imaginary story surrounding it (see below),
and asked him to play an intro for it; I knew he would understand me. He later
sent me four different takes that were all amazing. The one we chose here was
exactly what I envisioned."
The One Warm Hearted Man Living In The Kingdom Of Ice - This
is another tune that was a work in progress for many years - Ladin is an artist
that allows compositions to take their time as they come into maturity.
"The story takes place on a frozen planet engulfed in huge, blue glaciers,
frozen lakes, and endless snowstorms. At the peak of the highest mountain lies
a dark castle and inside lives an evil witch with a frozen heart. She
terrorizes the zombie-like people of the planet; they all fear her. But there
is one man, a warrior hiding in a cave; he has a warm heart. With his flaming
sword and after years of strict practice he is now ready to defeat the evil
witch and set the people of the planet free! This song tells the story of that
man."
The Way We Used To Laugh - This composition reflects
feelings and thoughts about when you have to let someone go, who was very dear
to you. "In a relationship - things can get complicated and problematic to
a point where it can't be fixed. Even though this song was composed after such
a time, it draws from the joyful memories we've shared and the laughs we've had
together back when everything was wonderful."
Safta (Grandma) - "Dedicated to my late grandmother,
Rachel Plotkin, honoring a very special and unique person. When I was little
she would often sit next to me while I practiced the piano, playing intimate
concerts for her. During the final days as her illness progressed I wanted to
return to Israel; however, it was important to her that I complete my senior
recital first and then travel on the following day... But it was too late. She
passed away on the day of my senior recital. She was the most positive person
I've known, influencing me through the way she saw the world. She helped me
understand that despite the sufferings of life, one should always dwell on the
positive-there's positivity in everything. This song is playful, not morbid, in
celebration of her life and positive spirit. I chose to merge tracks 5 and 6 as
they both remember the loss of people I've truly loved and they embrace their
influence on my life."
Times Square - "Reflects on the best and worst place in
NYC. I took a video with my phone, went home, watched it next to my keyboards,
and this melody just came out of me."
Dreams - "Everything is possible there... People you
love that are not a part of your life anymore can show up suddenly... But you
can't always really reach them... I wanted a dreamy atmosphere and decided
there would only be vocals, piano, and about 7 layers of keyboards synths. I was fortunate to have my good friend and
incredible musician Camila Meza singing on this one."
Gambit - The seed of this track came from a phrase Ladin
transcribed from a song by the electronic group, Boards Of Canada, which he is
very influenced by. He composed a new melody and harmony on this idea and it
grew from there. The title reflects Ladin's recent fascination for Chess, and
captures a situation in which a player risks one or more pieces to gain an advantage
in position, a "gambit." Obviously a risky thing to do because it's a
situation you must know how to get out of or you will lose the game - also a
metaphor for life, sometimes you've got to risk a lot in order to become
better.
Schlompi - "Schlompi was a toy store in Tel-Aviv that I
used to go to as kid. This song that has kind of a playful and silly melody
with hints of childhood melancholia, which reminded me of toy stores, and this
store in particular."
Autumn Song - "was written in autumn of course. I've
always found autumn to be a very special time of year-a time of new beginnings
on one hand but also of endings: happiness and mourning; rain and
sun."
