organic pulse ensemble: a thousand hands
Francisco Espregueira
Released by 2 Headed Deer Records, Organic Pulse Ensemble's latest album, A Thousand Hands, is a masterpiece of free jazz with a spiritual twist. Gustav Horneij, the Swedish artist behind the project, follows up on Transcending The Sum (2019) and The Light Comes Black (2020) and creates a unique fusion of meditative and mystical sounds with the intensity of free jazz. The music breathes and expands, with the album’s lengthier tracks giving Horneij the space to explore different paths in terms of composition and allowing him to focus on the progression of each piece.
We’ve mentioned it before but is good to remind our readers: the Organic Pulse Ensemble is mostly a one man show, with Gustav Horneij recording his songs by multitracking multiple instruments, including saxophones, flutes, trumpet, guitar, keys, drums, electric & upright bass and a multitude of percussion. What makes A Thousand Hands stand out is the perfectionist approach to the music, while still accepting the importance of leaving some rough edges and imperfections that add personality and originality to the work. The artist pushes the boundaries of jazz by incorporating a wide range of influences, from ethiojazz to eastern sounds, all woven together in an organic way that showcases Horneij's exceptional skill and talent. A Thousand Hands is a stunning testament to the power of jazz as a medium for exploring the depths of the human experience. Available on vinyl, courtesy of 2 Headed Deer Records.
“A thousand hands, raised in joyful dance. You can shake the weight of the world, just dance!”