Andy Emler - Obsession 3 (2015) [Hi-Res]

Yet despite all this, for over 25 years now, in its own fringes, the MegaOctet has fought to make its sound heard, with its own identity, background and musical language, smuggling its music on the sly into new pairs of ears. This band is a breeding ground musicians for whom “playing together“ is what it’s all about, all with a genuine yet lucid commitment to creative freedom.

„Still enthusiastic ! Playing and sharing the music we’ve created together. With everyone – and beyond. While our parallel projects and creative outlets live, survive and then stop, only to begin again in a different form. Writing, playing, working. Pas- sing on, communicating, traveling, learning... Always. In spite of the chaotic times we are living through, we continue to tirelessly campaign for artistic creation and the art of live performance, two essential sources. Politicians talk about a future for France where culture and artistic expression are only afforded minimal presence within school curricula, as if imagination itself were a form of subversion... On the airwaves, in the media, no- thing but commodified mass entertainment – a daily affliction, an ode to mediocrity, leveling people’s ability to think critically and aspiration to elevate themselves. Radio and television are potentially wonderful tools for promoting education, awareness, information and cultural diversity. But what we see instead is the crushing of this evident notion under the weight of market shares. Depressing. Who controls the pipes ? Today’s technological revolution has made new contents available, with increased possibilities for disseminating them. Easy, then, to forget that what really matters, ultimately, is who “controls the pipes“. See for instance how the music industry has absorbed all distribution networks, leaving only scraps of that revenue to musicians and composers. Everywhere we go, we are constantly surrounded by this sonic pollution. Where is our freedom to think, choose our own sources of inspiration and listen to what we want to ? Same questions, asked again and again. Pressing questions indeed ! Yet despite all this, for over 25 years now, in its own fringes, the MegaOctet has fought to make its sound heard, with its own identity, background and musical language, smuggling its music on the sly into new pairs of ears. This band is a breeding ground musicians for whom “playing together“ is what it’s all about, all with a genuine yet lucid commitment to creative freedom.“ (Andy Emler)

Andy Emler, piano, composition, direction
Philippe Sellam, alto saxophone
Guillaume Orti, alto saxophone
Laurent Dehors, tenor saxophone
François Thuillier, tuba
Laurent Blondiau, trumpet
François Verly, percussion, marimba
Eric Echampard, drums
Claude Tchamitchian, double bass

Tracklist:
01. Andy Emler - Tribalurban 1 (4:17)
02. Andy Emler - Doctor Solo (6:05)
03. Andy Emler - Trois Total (6:57)
04. Andy Emler - Ballalade 2 (10:57)
05. Andy Emler - La Megaruse (7:41)
06. Andy Emler - Tribalurban 2 (16:34)
07. Andy Emler - DieCoda (2:48)