Alabaster DePlume

★★★★ Gold INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM. CD/DL/LP

Mancunian poet and saxophonist celebrates the art of collaboration. Recorded over a fortnight at London jazz hub Total Refreshment Centre using different musicians each day – including Sarathy Korwar, Rozi Plain and Tom Skinner – Gold was pared down from over 17 hours of music and spliced together à la Makaya McCraven. The results are illuminating. Dubby basses, folky melodies, massed vocals, squeaks and squeals all pour into its immersive sound wash, DePlume adding a signature stamp with his uniquely raspy saxophone and endearingly honest wordplay. His vow to be “open and true and good” on mission statement I Will Not Be Safe is embraced by Guinea singer Falle Nioke, whose impassioned solo on Again is emblematic of the risk-taking alchemy at play. Thought-provoking yet full of fun, DePlume’s willingness to dig deep has turned up a genuine treasure.