Colman – Daedalus
An absolute gem of a record revived by Portland’s Musique Plastique, Daedalus is the score to a deeply moving avant-garde production of the Greek myth that toured the Belgian theatre circuit in 1986. Director Guy Cassiers worked with developmentally disabled actors, telling the classic fable through movement rather than dialogue. Colman’s score utilizes a “pop-concrète style by incorporating sampled squeaking balloons, environmental recordings, tuned percussion, drum computer, and voice to accompany the traditional small chamber instrumentation.” The music is wonderfully bright, playful, and filled with innocent joy, but also sophisticated in its arrangement and instrumentation. Recommended for fans of Music from Memory, Nuno Canavarro, Roberto Musci.
Recommended – Full Listen
A1 Wings Unfolding
A2 Forest Of Axes
A3 Sails Unfurled
A4 Glass Labyrinth
A5 Ambulant Sculptures
B1 Wings Unfolding Part Two
B2 Hot Air Balloon
B3 Empty Sky
B4 Fallen Angel
B5 Inside These Walls
Arranged By, Composed By, Artwork By, Cover, Design, Other [Gabadon] – John Gilbert Colman
Cello – Greet Gils
Clarinet – Ann Papoulis
Drums – Edwin Eastfield
Performer [Balloons] – Guy Cassiers
Producer – Mark Burghgraeve, Somnambulist (2)
Sounds [Additional Ensonic Sounds] – Mark Burghgraeve
Violin – Marjan Gils
Vocals – Rolande Van der Paal
Voice – Danielle Diependaal, Eddy Valckx, Els De Beukelaer, Erik Ekkart, Igor Bodemeyer, Lieve Aelterman, Lieve Pelckmans, Peter Bogaerts, Stephane Lambrechts