Keyboardist/Composer John Escreet’s Meditative “Broken Justice (Kalief)” Premiered Via Stereogum
1st Album Of Composed Music In 5 Years ‘Learn To Live’ Out October 12
LISTEN HERE: https://bit.ly/2O2ck3V
Experimental keyboardist and composer John Escreet has unveiled a second song from his forthcoming album ‘Learn To Live’ (October 12/ Blue Room Music). Today Stereogum has premiered “Broken Justice (Kalief),” a meditative song that John titled in honor of Kalief Browder.
Listen to “Broken Justice” here: https://bit.ly/2O2ck3V
“Broken Justice” is an expansive, experimental journey. It features Escreet on synthesizer, piano and keyboard, Greg Osby on saxophone, and two drummers: Justin Brown and Eric Harland.
Says Escreet: “The song was inspired by the tragic situation of Kalief Browder, who was imprisoned on Riker’s Island for 3 years without ever having been convicted of a crime. He maintained his innocence throughout and refused several plea bargains that would have seen him released, had he admitted guilt. He was eventually acquitted and released without charge, but the mental toll was too much and he eventually took his own life. In learning about his story I felt so much frustration and grief, and it stuck with me. In my own way I wanted to honor him and the horrible situation he went through, and to me, this song captured the range of emotions I felt about what Kalief endured.”
‘Learn To Live’ finds Escreet releasing his first album of composed music in 5 years, and a deep exploration of the Prophet synthesizer. Several songs on this album were written on it, after John taught himself analog synthesis. ‘Learn To Live’ balances his electronic exploration with the acoustic piano daringness that has made John an envelope-pushing leader in the genre for the past decade.
“Opening” – the first track to be released - was debuted by WBGO, calling the album “audacious.” The New York Times also included it on a recent playlist and deemed John a "pan-experimentalist.”
The album captures two different bands that John was performing with in 2017, and was able to get into the studio together for the ‘Learn To Live’ sessions: Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Greg Osby (saxophone), Matt Brewer (bass), Eric Harland (drums), and Justin Brown (drums).
Watch a short video on the making of the album here: https://youtu.be/wDN3SJVTdFY
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