
On Lophae’s debut album Perfect Strangers, they carry out the performing equivalent of that crate digging: we are treated to world-class musical explorers searching for (and very much finding) sounds that both hit home with familiarity and bestow that thrill of discovery.
Don’t be fooled by the title: though it is their first time recording together in this particular line-up, these four are no strangers, neither to each other, nor to the singular art of sculpting sound through collective improvisation. Their enthusiasm for the process is palpable on every track, taking many forms and expressing many moods.
Guitarist and composer Greg Sanders – known for his work with Juanita Euka and Teotima – brings a unique aesthetic and an unmistakable feel to every musical setting he appears in. His writing and playing combine melodic elegance with rhythmic complexity, and provide a lush foundation for improvisation and dialogue. He also has a tried and tested talent for bringing together specific constellations of extraordinary musicians to interpret his original music.