News

Gaïsha played in Theater Arsenaal, the historical charm of the venue and modern amenities made the evening extra special. Watch the video of their song 'Ya Naghlate El Blouh' to relive the magic.

Myrddin, Nino de Los Reyes, Lionel Beuvens & Vigdis De Cauter performing Solea por Buleria (Scarlatti) at Zarlardingas.

(excerpt from the 2021 Livestream concert)

Guitar – Myrddin De Cauter
Dance – Nino de los Reyes
Drums – Lionel Beuvens
Piano – Vigdis De Cauter

Talking Spirits present a unique blend of world jazz. A group of musical friends all which are respected London based session musicians with a very mixed repertoire. The band mixes up world music, folk, jazz and Anglo/Caribbean grooves, inspired by influences from all over the world.

The members have honed their skills over the decades, working with some of the greatest musicians: Frank Zappa, Joan Armatrading, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, L Shankar, Ginger Baker, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Incognito,Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, Mick Taylor, …

Tracks feature former bandmates from the legendary Breakfast Band: Richard Bailey (drums and percussion) and Kuma Harada (bass and guitar). Guests appearances by Tony Maronie on congas, Didier Malherbe (once of “Gong”) on duduk and sax, and the wonderful Mongolian group Anda Union – for whom James specially wrote Grasslands to feature the haunting morinhuur (horse-hair fiddle) and hoomei or overtone singing.

The album is dedicated to bassist Kuma Harada who passed away in March 2023.

“We are all Talking Spirits in this life or the next”

Gaïsha, the extraordinary collaboration between Belgian-Moroccan singer Aïcha Haskal and a group of outstanding musicians from the Belgian music scene, has achieved a remarkable feat by capturing first place in the prestigious World Music Charts Europe.

Bringing oriental and psychedelic grooves with a unique Brussels twist, Gaïsha captivates audiences with their eclectic mix of musical styles. Aïcha Haskal effortlessly switches from Arabic chants to parlando and even rap, demonstrating their versatility and creativity.

What sets Gaïsha apart is the diverse background of the band members, who come from well-known Belgian acts such as Absynthe Minded, Sylvie Kreusch, Va Fan Fahre, Echoes of Zoo and De Beren Gieren. This fusion of talent and experience has resulted in a brilliant mix of styles that appeals to listeners around the world.

Reaching the top of the World Music Charts Europe is a testament not only to Gaïsha’s exceptional talent, but also to the universal appeal of their music. This milestone not only highlights their success as a band, but also attests to the rich diversity and vibrancy of the Belgian music scene.

Friday the 26th of May Myrddin & Imre launch their first album together, to be released on LP and CD. A mesmerizing crossover of flamenco and contemporary music.

Myrddin De Cauter, the youngest son of multi-instrumentalist musician Koen De Cauter, is a phenomenon in the world of contemporary music. As a teenager, he discovered the richness and originality of the flamenco guitar. To further develop the subtleties in his already masterful playing, he went to Spain to take lessons with some of the masters of flamenco guitar: Gerardo Nuñez, Manolo Sanlucar, …

His technical virtuosity, taste for experimentation and deep lyrical sensibility merge into a unique musical world. It turns out that Myrddin is not just a flamenco guitarist, but an exceptional multifaceted talent. This talent, passed down through many generations, now expresses itself again in Myrddin’s daughter Imre. At only four years old, she received her first cello. In 2018, she made her debut together with her father at the Gent Jazz Festival.

Now five years later, in their debut album ‘Zwaluwe’, together they take on a journey that finds its origin in Myrddin’s written compositions. Imre knows and feels the music of her virtuoso father like no other. She complements him in a sensitive, cutting and unctuous way. Making a perfect blend of sharp and soft.

Listen to album: biglink.to/zwaluwe
Order album: www.zephyrusrecords.com/product/myrddin-imre-zwaluwe

Formerly known as James Lascelles’ Quartet, Talking Spirits present a unique blend of world jazz. These highly respected London based session musicians with a very mixed repertoire have touched audiences wherever they play. The band mixes up world music, folk, jazz and Anglo/Caribbean grooves, inspired by influences from all over the world.

The members have honed their skills over the decades, working with Frank Zappa, Joan Armatrading, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, L Shankar, Ginger Baker, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Incognito,Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, Mick Taylor, and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.

‘As I was walking’ was written on dulcimer by James Lascelles and is about rescuing a beautiful damsel from the clutches of a sea monster lurking under the Irish Sea. It’s the second single of the upcoming album ‘Hands’. Enjoy listening!

Friday the 12th of May Myrddin & Imre release ‘Prelude – BWV 998‘, the second single of their upcoming album ‘Zwaluwe’.

• Listen to single
• Pre-order album

“In opperste concentratie en na uren en uren zoeken heb ik een tweede stem gemaakt op deze prachtige prelude die ik eigenlijk in gedachten heb geschreven voor een magische diepe altstem op poëzie van onze eigen bach der letteren Guido Gezelle genaamd waarin hij het korte bestaan van een koolwitje beschrijft in hetzelfde seizoen wanneer de zwaluw terug bij ons is.” – Myrddin

o Brooze levendheid, die ‘k, op uw’ vlugge vlerken,
zie wikkelen over ‘t gers en om de roozenperken,
des middags, in den laai der zoelste zomerlocht;
hoe neerstig schijnt ge mij, onschuldig en onschamel,
te zoeken even zeer de lelie en den bramel,
op uwen wandeltocht!

Gij wentelt alleszins, onvolgbaar bij der ooge,
omhooge, omleege nu, nu wederom omhooge;
en, valt ge op eene blom, met beide uw’ vlerken toe,
nog nauwlijks hebt ge een zeupke uit haren kelk gezopen,
of weêrom op de vlucht, met beide uw’ vlerken open,
zoo schijnt ge uw’ ruste al moe.

Music composed by Myrddin – Recorded & mixed by Michiel Lagae in Valouse France, mastered by Yannick Willox – Artwork by Tobi Jonson

Upcoming concerts
18/05 – Merodefestival, Kessel-lo
19/05 – Merodefestival, Kessel-lo
27/05 – Wouter De Bruycker Fine Arts & Gallery, Antwerpen
31/05 – Ha Concerts, Gent
03/06 – Paradijshoeve, Hoegaarden
18/06 – Museum Gevaert-Minne, Sint-Martens-Latem
16/07 – Walden Festival, Brussel
08/10 – CC De Ververij, Ronse
28/10 – Archipelfestival, Sint-Niklaas
03/11 – Etnosoi! festival, Helsinki
19/11 – Cultuurcentrum Brugge

Formerly known as James Lascelles’ Quartet, Talking Spirits present a unique blend of world jazz. These highly respected London based session musicians with a very mixed repertoire have touched audiences wherever they play. The quartet mixes up world music, folk, jazz and Anglo/Caribbean grooves, inspired by influences from all over the world.

The members have honed their skills over the decades, working with Frank Zappa, Joan Armatrading, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, L Shankar, Ginger Baker, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Incognito,Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, Mick Taylor, and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.

On the 5th of May Talking Spirits release ‘Sistem Connected’, conceived by John McKenzie and James Lascelles with the idea of creating a circular rhythm because we’re all connected. It’s the first single of their upcoming album ‘Hands’, that will be released by Zephyrus Records on the 9th of June.

• LISTEN: go to Biglink
• BUY: go to Bandcamp
• UPCOMING CONCERT: 17/06 Soldiers Field in Roundhay Park, Leeds

Friday the 28th of April we release ‘De Zwaluwe’, the first single of Myrddin en Imre‘s upcoming debut album.

Myrddin De Cauter, the youngest son of multi-instrumentalist musician Koen De Cauter, is a phenomenon in the world of contemporary music. As a teenager, he discovered the richness and originality of the flamenco guitar. After having mastered the subtleties, he went to Spain to take lessons with some of the masters of flamenco guitar: Gerardo Nuñez, Manolo Sanlucar,… His technical virtuosity, taste for experimentation and deep lyrical sensibility merge into a unique musical world. It turns out that Myrddin is not only a flamenco guitarist, but an exceptional talent.

This talent, passed down through many generations, now expresses itself again in Myrddin’s daughter Imre. At only four years old, she received her first cello. In 2018, she made her debut together with her father at the Gent Jazz Festival. She knows and feels his music like no other and complements her virtuoso father in a sensitive, cutting and unctuous way. Making a perfect blend of sharp and soft. The family of musicians De Cauter puts a new generation of musicians ahead.

“While Myrddin tells mysterious stories and fairy tales with endless intervals of notes on his guitar, Imre hypnotises your soul with the sound waves of her cello.”

• Listen to single: biglink.to/de-zwaluwe
• Pre-order album: www.zephyrusrecords.com/product/myrddin-imre-zwaluwe

UPCOMING CONCERTS
17-05-2023 – Merodefestival, Kessel-lo
18-05-2023 – Merodefestival, Kessel-lo
27-05-2023 – Wouter De Bruycker Galerij, Antwerpen
31-05-2023 – Handelsbeurs, Gent
03-06-2023 – Paradijshoeve, Hoegaarden
18-06-2023 – Gevaert museum, Sint-Martens-Latem
16-07-2023 – Walden Festival, Brussel
08-10-2023 – CC De Ververij, Ronse
28-10-2023 – Archipel Festival, Sint-Niklaas
19-11-2023 – Stadsschouwburg, Brugge

‘Hijaz + Strings’ is the fifth album by multi-ethnic jazz combo Hijaz, in which they further explore the differences and similarities between Eastern rhythms & scales and Western jazz. For this album the band aligned with a cello and two violins, arranged for strings by bass player Ben Faes.

On this album, Hijaz observes the world around her during a pandemic and the climate crisis. Is there light at the end of the pandemic’s tunnel in Sun or no Sun? Will New York or the island of Jerba still rise to the surface after a heavy difference in tides caused by rising sea levels? Tideland makes you feel this up close, as if you were there yourself.

In addition, Hijaz continues to deliver songs in their signature sound with a focus on dialogue between the musicians. Drunken Greek is a rousing crossover between a Balkan and klezmer melody. In Radio Tunis, oud player Moufadhel once again brings his talent to the fore to evoke an imagery world with a simple melody. A perfect follow-up for those who still know Evasion from Hijaz’s first-look Dunes (2008).

In short, another typical Hijaz release, following in the footsteps of its predecessors like Chemsi. Thanks to their fine & rich playing, the string instruments enhance the arrangements by double bassist Ben Faes.

“Hijaz is without a doubt one of the best kept secrets of the Belgian world music scene.” –
Jazz in Belgium

“Breaking the fusion rule: East meets East for a change” – Songlines

• LISTEN: biglink.to/hijaz-strings
• BUY: www.zephyrusrecords.com/product/hijaz-hijaz-strings
• RELEASE CONCERT: tickets 16/06 at Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp