Atlas Maior - Hadal (2023)

Hadal (out February 17, 2023) is a diverse instrumental album that pivots between driving energy and moody introspection embodying the evolution of Atlas Maior from its inception into the full ensemble it has become. The album offers the first collection of compositions written by Josh Peters and Joshua Thomson informed by the Arab and Turkish maqamat/makamlar modal systems.

The duo composed this offering with rhythms reminiscent of west Africa, Morocco, and the Arabian Peninsula which can be heard within songs “Basalt,” and the title track “Hadal.” The band’s versatility within jazz experimental contexts can be witnessed within free flowing improvised compositions “Ignis Fatuus” and “Fata Morgana” which are equally inspired by New York’s Loft Jazz of the 1970s, and the Afrofuturist musings of Faruq Z, Bey in the 1980s.

Atlas Maior, co-led by Thomson (alto saxophone) & Peters (Middle Eastern fretless lute; oud), have constructed an artistic throng of projects within the group from their full quintet to Tabla Trio, to the full improvised Atlas Maior: Palindrome project (inspired by Atlas Maior's double LP Palindrome), in addition to collaborations with guest vocalists (“Nazuk”, “Ya Ali” with Ali Pervez Mehdi).

Josh Peters - oud
Aaron Parks - drums
Stefan Del Bosque – drums
Tarik Hassan - double bass
Joshua Thomson - alto saxophone

Tracklist:
1. Atlas Maior - Basalt (05:22)
2. Atlas Maior - Ignis Fatuus (04:44)
3. Atlas Maior - Hadal (06:55)
4. Atlas Maior - Fata Morgana (04:40)