UNBLOCKING by ONTSTOPPER KOLLEKTIEF

This album was born from a project that had long lived in Francisco Morato’s mind: to bring together an extended ensemble of musicians to work on his ideas, compositions, and concepts.
His ongoing dialogue with José Brandão transformed that idea into something tangible: gathering all those musicians in one room to record them. An experience rooted in improvisation, but with composition at its core—guided by cues, conducting, graphic scores, and more.
It emerged from the connection between Morato and Brandão, whose relationship with contemporary classical music made it possible for Francisco to bring this vision to life.

I was entrusted with mixing the final result, which first led me to immerse myself deeply—sometimes quite solitarily—in this bath of frequencies, dynamic demands, and alien soundscapes. Over time, and with the support of Francisco and José, the album began to take shape.
Nuno Mangas Viegas, from Tutmonda (like Francisco and me), gave the final touch it needed: the cover and the title for the record.

When my professional obligations came to an end, I felt an overwhelming urge to listen—truly listen—to this epic narrative told through music, and to write... to write as if playing an instrument, in an attempt to uncover things.
What this album said to me was profound. Through this sequence of pieces, I accessed parts of my psyche that revealed what clogs it, fills it, overwhelms it; and, just as importantly, I found the strength and will to create new space—in both mind and body.

There is a deeply organic force within this group—nuances known to European improvisation, but perhaps with renewed vigor, fresh blood, and new intentions.
The presence of ethnic instruments like the didgeridoo, coexisting with more modern textures—effects on the guitar, electronic elements, prepared piano, and more—made me realize this album holds a special place here at Tutmonda:
a project that aims, perhaps utopically, to bring into the world a creative dialogue between sonic landscapes and musical languages from around the globe, filtered through contemporary modes of expression;
or simply, to allow instruments from various traditions to speak in their native voices, while engaging in a healthy relationship with risk, boldness, and the ritual power of collective improvisation.

This album will surely support that mission—and perhaps even unlock something new.

Tutmonda is an experimental music label whose main objective is to create a fusion of improvised and traditional sounds from different parts of the world.

With the mission of promoting an inclusive and diverse sound mass, Tutmonda seeks to offer a space for artists from all corners of the globe to showcase their talent and creativity.

tutmonda.webnode.pt
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