The Latvian instrumental trio Eklektika has released its second studio album, Maps for Closed Eyes, continuing the conceptual approach established in their debut work while incorporating guest musicians for the first time.
Guest Musicians Expand the Instrumental Palette
The trio, consisting of drummer Kārlis Roberts Kalējs, saxophonist Rūdolfs Pēteris Rubenis, and clarinetist Artūrs Bariss, maintains its core sound while expanding its instrumental palette. The group describes their unconventional lineup as “drums with two horns.”
For Maps for Closed Eyes, the band invited several guest musicians to contribute to specific tracks:
- Ugis Upenieks: Percussionist featured on the track “Tiki Tiki.”
- Erna Daugaviete: Cellist who adds bass-like textures to the track “Pavediens.”
- Kristine Cirule: Vocalist on the nine-minute piece “Meditation II.”
- Michael Dzenushka: Vibraphonist who performs on the track “Bonuss.”
The album was mixed and mastered by Bruno Brauns, while the visual identity and vinyl sleeve design were created by Nathanaël Roman of Pipe & Pallet.
Tracks Serve as Starting Points for Listener Interpretation
The title Maps for Closed Eyes reflects the band’s intent for each track to serve as a starting point for the listener’s own interpretation. The seven-track record is divided into two distinct sides on the vinyl release. The A-side includes the tracks “Sultan’s Palace,” “Echoes of Iliad,” and “Meditācija II,” while the B-side features “Tiki Tiki,” “Pavediens,” “Osmoze,” and “Bonuss.”
The band notes that “Osmoze” represents the most direct and aggressive track on the album, featuring only the trio without additional guest instrumentation.
Eklektika Holds Release Concert After Industry Nominations
Eklektika’s debut album, Encounters (2024), received significant industry attention, including nominations for the LSM “Kilograms kultūras” award and the “Zelta Mikrofons” in the categories of Best Debut Album and Best Jazz, Funk, or Soul Album. The group was also recognized at the GAMMA modern music awards as a nominee for Best New Artist and Best Jazz or Funk Artist.
The band will hold an album release concert on October 16 at the Tallinas ielas kvartāls concert hall “Angārs.” The performance will feature the trio joined by Miķelis Dzenuška, Uģis Upenieks, Kristiāns Kosītis, Erna Daugaviete, and Kristīne Cīrule.
What Is the Creative Vision Behind the New Album?
What is the creative vision behind the new album?
The band describes the tracks as "soundscapes." According to clarinetist Artūrs Bariss, the group provides a "map" for the listener but leaves the specific path and imagery open to individual interpretation.
How does this album differ from the band’s debut?
While the trio’s core composition remains the same, Maps for Closed Eyes marks the first time the group has integrated guest musicians to expand their sound, moving between free-form improvisation and more defined compositional structures compared to their debut, Encounters.
Where can listeners find the music?
The album is available in a vinyl format in collaboration with Jersika Records.
Worth a look