Afiara Quartet - Spin Cycle (2015) [Hi-Res]

Four of the hottest young composers in the Canadian scene write new string quartets for the Afiara: Kevin Lau, Laura Silberberg, Rob Teehan and Dinuk Wijeratne. All hailing from Toronto, the city’s lauded multicultural elements all co-exist and dialogue off each other. With classical music as a common denominator, the group explores all the different types of music that have influenced individual upbringing, be it pop, reggae, hip hop, world, or other music.

In a specific element of engagement and collaboration, the works are repurposed and re-envisioned by the scratch stylings of renowned DJ Skratch Bastid. Skratch is one of the brightest lights in the scratch DJ scene as a multi-time world champion at the prestigious Scribble Jam competition. His ability to put together different sounds, songs, and genres, and make them into something wholly new is of the rarest talents in his field.

The idea of remixing is not new, but rarely if ever does the original artist or composer hear a remix and feel inspired to write another verse or bring again something new to the conversation. This true dialoguing of innovation and creation is the third stage of this project. Each composer hears what Skratch Bastid has done and has a chance to “respond” by writing parts for the Afiara to play with (or against) the DJ’s remix—true collaboration coming from true conversation.

Skratch Bastid, DJ
Afiara Quartet:
Valerie Li, violin
Tim Kantor, violin
Eric Wong, viola
Adrian Fung, cello

1.01 | Afiara Quartet - No. 1, A Letter from the Afterlife
1.02 | Afiara Quartet - No. 2, I Will Not Let You Go
1.03 | Afiara Quartet - Soul Searching, Pts. 1 & 2 (Skratch Bastid Remix)
1.04 | Afiara Quartet - Through the Invisible
1.05 | Afiara Quartet - No. 1, Hold On
1.06 | Afiara Quartet - No. 2, Let Go
1.07 | Afiara Quartet - Dirty Laundry (Skratch Bastid Remix)
1.08 | Afiara Quartet - Dirty Laundry - Heavy Load

2.01 | Afiara Quartet - I. Breakthrough
2.02 | Afiara Quartet - II. In the Garden of My Beloved
2.03 | Afiara Quartet - III. The Pursuit
2.04 | Afiara Quartet - Stream of Consciousness (Skratch Bastid Remix)
2.05 | Afiara Quartet - Ow!
2.06 | Afiara Quartet - I. Gliding
2.07 | Afiara Quartet - II. Winds of Change
2.08 | Afiara Quartet - Skratch My Bach (Skratch Bastid Remix)
2.09 | Afiara Quartet - Second Wind