Dominique Lawalree – First Meeting

A daytime favorite at the In Sheep’s Clothing hi-fi bar, First Meeting is the first archival release of Belgian composer Dominique Lawalrée’s exquisite minimalist piano works. Compiled from four albums privately-released on Lawalrée’s own Editions Walrus, the collection here offers a perfect entry point to Lawalrée’s long and diverse career. Lawalrée’s music is quiet, subtle, and often features little more than a piano line with a few touches of synthesizer, percussion, wurlitzer, organ, and occasionally voice all performed by Lawalrée himself. There’s an immediate intimacy to the whole approach. From the delicate music, to the self-released pressings, to the hand-made cut and paste aesthetic of the album artwork, every piece feels like an honest invitation into Lawalrée’s world. A short quote from Erik Satie appears in the liner notes of the compilation that perfectly captures Lawalrée’s approach and charm… “I took to my room and let small things evolve slowly.”

Recommended – B2 La Maison Des 5 Elements, Full Listen