Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
$10USD or more
Cassette + Digital Album
Purplish Records releases tapes in batches. The artists paired are from different parts of the world, different cultures and traditions, often speak different languages, and have separate ideologies. However, they share at least one major thing in common. For Batch #2 (PR_003 & PR_004) that is Unaccompanied.
Batch comes in a handstamped slipcase. Limited to 150.
Includes unlimited streaming of Batch #2 - Unaccompanied (PR_003 & PR_004)
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
MA, written in old character form kanji on the cover, meaning even from a closed gate, moonlight seeps out.
I have always loved the sensation of feeling lost, in my mind.
There is freedom, excitement and security there. No sense made, no thing defined, yet.
I refer to this place within myself as MA - the Japanese concept for silence, pause, distance in music, speech, movement, or objects. MA is three dimensional, relative and personal, in the moment and infinite, in relation to what came before and what it’s between.
The music that’s here is my way of sharing bits of what lies inside of me. What was not said but ( ), what is not there but ( ). I hope you hear something that can connect you to your feelings.
-Masami Tomihisa
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Amadou Ousmane Ali: Mai Molo
While on tour with Mdou Moctar in 2018 and 2019 we were listening to a lot of different music in the van. Everything from autotune Tuareg music from Niger, Mali, and Algeria, to Celine Dion. There was also this 2 minute field recording Mdou had on his phone. We played this short recording almost everyday while in the van on our 2019 Europe tour. Who was this person? What was this instrument?
This person to us was Mai Molo. In Hausa Mai Molo means the Molo player. A Molo is a guard instrument similar to the Ngoni but deeper in tone than the higher pitched Ngoni’s I’m used to in Bambara music or Takamba music. We were obsessed with the recording. We wanted more!
While in Niger in 2021 I mentioned to Mdou ‘Do you remember that Mai Molo recording? Where does Mai Molo live?’ Unbeknownst to the group, Mdou made some calls. 6 hours later Mai Molo rolls up! He unpacked his Molo and started playing and singing. We were so excited and moved that we found Mai Molo! He spent the night at the house we were staying at, talking, playing music, and drinking tea with us. The next morning I set up a few mics and recorded him playing and singing. I got the chills. I teared up by the beauty of his music. I was in a trance.
When we started talking about Purplish I knew this was a record I wanted to release. People needed to hear this but there was one important thing I forgot to ask. What’s Mai Molo’s real name?! I called Mdou and he said ‘ok I’ll make some calls’. 2 months later, many phone calls, and even Mdou sending a friend to the outskirts of Niamey to track him down, we found him. I’m so excited to share the record of a person I’ve been obsessed with, Amadou Ousmane Ali.
credits
released April 5, 2024
Masami Tomihisa: Invitation
Songs written by: Masami Tomihisa
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by: Mikey Coltun at Purplish Mobile Studios, December, 2023
Artwork: Masami Tomihisa
Creative Direction + Design: Can Misirlioglu
Masami Tomihisa: Piano, Electronics
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Amadou Ousmane Ali: Mai Molo
Songs written and Performed by: Amadou Ousmane Ali
Recorded by: Mikey Coltun in Niamey, Niger November 2021
Mixed and Mastered by: Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets
Cover Photo by: Mikey Coltun
Creative Direction + Design: Can Misirlioglu
supported by 19 fans who also own “Batch #2 - Unaccompanied (PR_003 & PR_004)”
I love these women. the voices mesh together perfectly; also the world music is exceptional. I have all of their albums and they're all excellent. Give them a listen. Steve Lake
A collection of tracks from the singer and multi-disciplinary artist's 111 collaboration series, featuring KMRU, Laraaji, and others. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 25, 2024
