Light the Horizon

If you don’t know, now you know. As promised earlier this year, Bedouin Soundclash has announced the release of Light The Horizon. This will be the band’s fourth studio album, their first recording on Pirates Blend, the band’s own label which is distributed through Sony Music in Canada. Pirates Blend’s first release was Bedouin front man Jay Malinowski’s solo album, Bright Lights and Bruises, in February of this year. The album, set for release on September 28th, was recorded in Philadephia in May and June, by producer and DJ King Britt, more commonly known to fans for his Sylk 130 and Sister Gertrude Morgan projects. Influenced by the likes of Quincy Jones, Trevor Horn and Jay Dilla, Britt’s love of the turn table lead him to two years on tour with Digable Planets, the formation of Ovum Recordings with Josh Wink, and the addition of his creativity to remixes for artists such as Tori Amos and Miles Davis. "Working with Bedouin Soundclash has been a breath of fresh air in our crazy music business. They are a killer band, who actually play their instruments, know their history and respect the architects! They also DO NOT use autotune!" said King Britt about the recording process. One listen and I’m sure you’ll agree, Britt’s direction on Bedouin’s latest album is an evolution of the band’s signature sound and style. “Light the horizon was one of the most inspired sessions that we have had in the history of this band,” reflects Jay Malinowski. “Bedouin had been on tour for a long time, and I can say for myself that my direction and place in the band wasn’t clear when we took a break at the end of our tour with No Doubt. I went away for a while to recollect and not think about music. When I came back a couple months later I sat with Eon and my manager, Dave Guenette, in my kitchen and they played me a remix that King Britt had done for When The Night Feels My Song. For me, that song has a lot of history, and it also had become something that had grown too familiar and stale. Somehow King really flipped it around and left me feeling revitalized”. The recording process was a satisfying one for the band. Jay remembers, “in January we were invited over to good friend Jonathan Ramos’ house for dinner where we had the pleasure of sitting down with King and talking music. It was clear to both Eon and I that we had to work with him, and start the next chapter with King at the controls. When we got down to Philly it was like a musical church. King took us out the first night we were there to his "back to basics" night, where the best musicians that are in the city at the time will come and sit in. That night was pure inspiration. It carried us through the session, having some of those players come in and record. Philly really breathes music. At Larry Gold’s studio there would be days where a community church choir would be coming in, and the next day the Wutang Clan would be jamming with the Roots. For me, the process of this record was the best part, and I was really proud to have gotten to that place with Eon. Also, with Sekou playing drums, I am really inspired to go around the world again. I think the best records are done with the honesty of a diary, and Light the Horizon is definitely a collection of songs that look back and look forward”.