Platonic Tales is the second chapter of Jules' journeys, more anthropocentric than the first album Adventures & Explorations (Volume 1), but equally exotic and dreamlike.
The musical intention of this record was to rework a set of five (plus one) melodic tape loops, already structured in "song form”, through detailed arrangements. The treatment followed an experimental-pop-oriented production approach.
Recorded entirely at home by the artists, the music on the album features analog cassettes containing loops dating back to around 2016. The remaining arrangements were composed during the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
Several international guests collaborated on the album:
Lino Capra Vaccina, the legendary Italian percussionist/minimalist composer, and Jefre Cantu Ledesma engaged in a musical dialogue on An Ontological Novel.
Andrew Weathers contributed his voice to the tracks A Superior Truth and Exodus.
Christina Vantouz participated in Exodus and concluded the album with a string composition arranged and conducted by Minna Choi, performed by Magik*Magik Orchestra.
released April 23, 2024
VINYL EDITION VIA HIDDEN HARMONY
hidden-harmony.bandcamp.com/album/platonic-tales
Marco Marzuoli: Mandolin, Violin, Bass Guitar, Tape Loops, Field Recordings, Effects.
Marco Mazzei: Atari Computer, Yamaha FM Synth, Hohner Pianet, Effects.
Andrew Weathers: Voice, Effects on A Superior Truth and Exodus (on a text by John McPhee).
Lino Capra Vaccina: Vibraphone, Piano, Gong, Cymbals, Rattles on An Ontological Novel.
Jefre Cantu Ledesma: Guitars, Loops, Effects on An Ontological Novel.
Christina Vantzou: String Cmposition on Exodus.
Minna Choi: String Arrangement and Conduction on Exodus.
Magik*Magik Strings: Strings on Exodus.
Mixed by: Marco Marzuoli and Marco Mazzei
Mastered by: Rafael Anton Irisarri (Black Knoll Studio, NY, US)
Design and Layout: Ilja Tulit
Cover Images and poster front image: Margherita Cesaretti
Poster back image: Yari Di Giampietro
Recorded between Città Sant'Angelo (Pescara - Italy, 2016-2020), Francavilla (Chieti - Italy, 2020) and Firenze (2019-2020).
Released and distributed by Hidden Harmony Recordings (HHLTS02)