Spaces
In their first recording together, guitarist-composer Kim Perlak and percussionist Francisco Mela explore, create, and realize “Spaces." These are the spaces that inspire composition, the spaces within the music, and the spaces they create for each other. In three large works- Lake, Stream, and Riverwalk- Kim Perlak conveys the vibrance of natural landscapes through a personal modern compositional language for the classical guitar. Mela’s unique voice in spontaneous composition at the drum set helps bring these spaces to life in a duo performance. The tone colors, textures, rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and silences evoke the grounding and surprising realities of the natural world, their collaboration, and the music itself. Their open and connected approach inspired the spontaneous composition of the three pieces in Squam Suite, which were improvised and recorded live at the end of the day at Squam Sound, overlooking Squam Lake in Ashland, NH.
Story
The Perlak/Mela duo began as a unique form of spontaneous composition. The duo formed at Berklee College of Music, where Perlak serves as the guitar department chair, and Mela is an associate professor of percussion. One day, Mela visited Kim with the idea of playing together. In their first session, they sensed an immediate musical connection that highlighted the breadth and depth of Kim’s compositions and Mela’s free improvisations. Intuitively, they created space in the music for one another and for fresh, colorful interpretations and spontaneous compositions. At the end of that first day, Kim contacted Berklee guitar colleague and recording engineer Randy Roos, who invited them to his studio, Squam Sound, in Ashland, NH. Together, they created this record, " Spaces, " in one afternoon of recording –an unedited series of performances on a bright, warm fall day overlooking a lake that inspired the opening pieces. The Perlak/Mela Duo explores the possibilities of musical space and invites listeners to join them as each piece unfolds actively.
Release Date: April 25, 202
