Imagined Realities — — Squid in Chains (John Oliver, electronics, Doug Schmidt, bandoneon/saxophones, François Houle, basset clarinet/loop station) — Afterday Audio 2405 — Digital Album — BANDCAMP

Drifting is the first of a series of four recordings by Squid in Chains that were developed at the Canadian Music Centre Creative Residency in Vancouver, Canada over three weeks in late 2023 to January 2024. The album is the result of recording hours of intense sessions of creative exploration, then sifting through to find the gems.

“With Distilled Extractions, Emad Armoush’s quintet Rayhan has accomplished the nearly impossible: blend outer-limits exploration with the deep soul of Syrian tradition, while simultaneously making this meeting sound as natural as breathing.” — Alexander Varty

Drawing from the great tradition of Arabic songs and some original compositions,  with the new album “Distilled Extractions” the ensemble “RAYHAN”, creates innovative interpretations filled with intensity, sonic colouring, thematic and far reaching improvisations.  Artistically the Arabic repertoire is being disseminated through modern improvising and electronically experimental musicians creating a new model of expression for this music. All without losing the delicate beauty and authenticity of these time tested compositional masterpieces.

Drifting — Squid in Chains (John Oliver, electronics, Doug Schmidt, bandoneon/saxophones, François Houle, basset clarinet/loop station) — Afterday Audio 2404 — Digital Album — BANDCAMP

Drifting is the first of a series of four recordings by Squid in Chains that were developed at the Canadian Music Centre Creative Residency in Vancouver, Canada over three weeks in late 2023 to January 2024. The album is the result of recording hours of intense sessions of creative exploration, then sifting through to find the gems.

Meditations — François Houle — Afterday Audio 2402 — Digital Album — BANDCAMP

My first solo recording since Aerials (Drip Audio), Meditations explores the uncharted sonic territories of the basset clarinet. These improvisations and compositions represent a new chapter in my clarinetistic journey revealing a newfound melodic sense inspired by the gorgeous acoustics of the Chiesa Parrocchiale di Cabbio, near Lugano. Beautifully captured by master sound engineer Lara Persia, this music is at times intimate, drawing the listener as close to the instrument as one could imagine, and at times forceful and emotionally charged.

François Houle & Charlotte Hug — Voci Volante — AfterdayAudio 2317 — Digital Album — BANDCAMP

— now available on all Digital Music Services —

François Houle & Benoît Delbecq — Poise — AfterdayAudio 2316 — Digital Album — BANDCAMP