Listen to an exclusive mix Joseph Shabason made for us here
Across eight tracks that mesh spacious, jazz-laced composition with fourth-world and adult-contemporary tonality, Toronto saxophonist Joseph Shabason sketches an auditory map of the transcendence, unity, conditioning, and eventual renunciation of his upbringing in an Islamic and Jewish dual-faith household. The resulting album The Fellowship bears the name of the insular Islamic community Shabason’s traditionally
Jewish parents belonged to from a time before he was even born; a mental and spiritual push-pull which continued shaping, even controlling, his outlook well into his adulthood. As a listening experience The Fellowship follows a chronological arc that spans three generations covering his parents’ early lives, his own spiritual and physical adolescence, and his subsequent struggle to eschew the problematic habituations of such a conflicted past.
On The Fellowship, as on prior albums that bear his name, Joseph Shabason does what only the best instrumental music makers can: tell a story with emotional clarity that conveys even the subtlest of feelings, all without singing a single word. As wordless as ever-- with as complex a theme as ever-- this album may be his most emotionally articulate yet. Most importantly, those lost in the woods of repression and self-doubt that organized religion can be at its worst now have The Fellowship to help guide them into a softer light.
“gorgeous and empathetic ambient music.” Pitchfork
“I love it…very original...so exciting." Bob Boilen, NPR Music
“…densely textured ambient jazz that is wonderful to immerse yourself in…” The Guardian
“...seriously engaging…” Aquarium Drunkard
“…magical transportive healing vibes.” Gorilla vs. Bear
“…rich, healing ambient jazz.” The A. V. Club
“…at once intimate and universal, honest and hopeful.” Resident Advisor
Available on limited edition indies-only transparent sky blue vinyl