DISCOGRAPHY
MIRROR LAKE
TIM O'DWYER TRIO
December 2020
The Tim O'Dwyer Trio make their debut on LaoBan Records with Mirror Lake. The album is the third release by the Australian free jazz trio and their first live album recorded at the famous Loft in Cologne in 2014. Mirror Lake removes the shackles from the compositionally-driven material on previous albums Broken River (2006) and Falconry (2011) to unleash their ecstatic nature in all its free jazz glory. The trio performs completely improvised pieces that sound like fully formed nuanced and powerful compositions. Mirror Lake reflects the trio's long partnership going back to 2005 through stunning interplay between the rhythm section of Darren Moore (drums) and Clayton Thomas (bass) and masterful sonic manipulation by Tim O'Dwyer on alto and baritone sax.
Available on BandCamp as a digital download.
THE BAD SLEEP WELL
GAME OF PATIENCE
November 2020
The Bad Sleep Well is the debut release from South-East Asia free improvisation group Game of Patience. Originally independently produced as a vinyl-only release sold at gigs, this re-issue sees the album digitally available for the first time on LaoBan Records with a limited run of 50 copies available.
The self-proclaimed ‘noise-jazz’ album builds on the foundation of free jazz protocols to create sweeping shards of harsh noise and driving rhythmic propulsion. Saxophonist Yong Yandsen and drummer Darren Moore act as counterweights to the sonic onslaught brought about by Brian O’Reilly’s contra-bass and electronics. Its not for the faint hearted, keep your defibrillators close.
Available on limited release of 50 vinyl and digital download
ELEMENTS
ELISABETH HARNIK/TIM O'DWYER/
DARREN MOORE
October 2020
What are the elemental qualities of sound? How can we distinguish one instrument from another when an artist’s aim is to transcend the traditional domains? Elements offers answers to these questions posing sonic answers that unfold in the moment. A first time meeting, Elements features pianist Elisabeth Harnik, saxophonist Tim O’Dwyer and drummer Darren Moore. Recorded live in Singapore in January 2020 just prior to worldwide lockdowns, the pristinely documented album captures unadulterated exploration of sound where each artist lays down the territorial markers of their individual style towards shared modes of discovery.
Available as a digital download.
HAPPY TO BE HERE
YONG YANDSEN/CHRISTIAN MEAAS SVENDSEN/DARREN MOORE
September 2020
First encounters seldom produce such focused outcomes but Happy to be Here! captures such a rare moment. Recorded live in Kuala Lumpur in late 2019, Happy to be Here! features Malaysian saxophone virtuoso Yong Yandsen, innovative percussionist Darren Moore and powerhouse acoustic bass player Christian Meaas Svendsen.
The members conjure with alchemic economy extracting an expansive range of frequencies and timbres from just saxophone, acoustic bass and snare drum in a dense exploration of sound made with the minimum of tools. The music oscillates between intense static textures and high energy telepathic interplay. At times the trio swarms in unison, at others, it splinters in cells that bury deep underground while the surface dwellers roam freely. Extended music for extended listeners.
KAY-EL
ACHIM KAUFMANN/FRANK GRATKOWSKI/WILBERT DE JOODE/YONG YANDSEN/KOK SIEW WAI/DARREN MOORE
August 2020
The latest Laoban release Kay-El takes its name from Kuala Lumpur - the home of LaoBan Records. The record is a double trio album featuring Frank Gratkowski, Achim Kaufmann and Wilbert De Joode with the trio of Yong Yandsen, Darren Moore and Kok Siew Wai. Recorded live in KL in January 2020, this beautifully recorded album captures stunning playing from the full ensemble and tracks by both trios. Although it was the first time the two trio's had played together, each member allows the music space to breathe while being ready to strike with reflex punctuations. Pre-order for CD and digital download (with one bonus track) is available on Bandcamp from July 24 and ships from August 28.
PAN MEE
YONG YANDSEN/DARREN MOORE
July 2020
Pan Mee is an ode to one of Malaysia’s most famous dishes. Done right, it is insanely good and made spicy, even better. Pan Mee is the sophomore release for Yong Yandsen on saxophone and Darren Moore on drums on LaoBan Records. The record is a balanced overture of spice, sweetness, savoury, sour and depth. Layered textures that blend to produce new tastes to make you sweat.
YEAR OF MENACE
GAME OF PATIENCE
May 2020
The latest release from Game of Patience, 'Year of Menace' crosses the comfort threshold with reproductive cells of electronic and acoustic particles decimating the staid state of tradition; creating future sounds for tomorrow's sorrow. Year of Menace is electro-acoustic improv at its most daring and inspired and a product of telepathic communication between Yong Yandsen on tenor, Brian O'Reilly on contrabass and electronics and Darren Moore on snare and percussion. Out now on LaoBan Records.
FOREIGN POLICY
JUNJI HIROSE/TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA/DARREN MOORE
September 2019
Foreign Policy features legendary Tokyo saxophonist Hirose Junji and no-input mixing board pioneer Toshimaru Nakamura with Australian master percussionist Darren Moore. The album was recorded live at Ftarri, Tokyo's Mecca for improvised music, over two live performances in 2017. The playing represents the trio's disdain for conforming; gliding seamlessly from minimalist Onkyo to maximalist free jazz and noise. Available on Malaysian experimental label LaoBan Records.
TOWERS OF SILENCE
YONG YANDSEN/DARREN MOORE
March 2018
'Towers of Silence' is the first duo album of Malaysian saxophonist Yong Yandsen and Singapore-based Australian drummer Darren Moore. Recorded at Tokyo's legendary GOK Sound studio in October 2017 during a tour of Japan. 'Towers of Silence' points to a distillation of Yong and Moore's individual sounds, where ghost tones and sounds of unknown origins create rarefied space. Available on Malaysian experimental label LaoBan Records.
NOT SEEING IS A FLOWER
AKIRA SAKATA/SIMON NABATOV/
TAKASHI SEO/DARREN MOORE
August 2018
'Not Seeing Is A Flower' features Japanese free jazz saxophonist Akira Sakata, Tokyo bassist Takashi Seo, Russian born, Cologne-based pianist Simon Nabatov and Australian drummer Darren Moore. Recorded live at the legendary Jazz Spot Candy in Chiba prefecture near Tokyo on the final date of the tour, 'Not Seeing Is A Flower' captures the fire, intensity and range of the quartet's musical explorations that developed over one week on the road. Available on Leo Records.
