Wild Up, the Los Angeles-based music collective, is stirring the pot again. Under the baton of Christopher Rountree, their artistic director and conductor, they’re diving into new territory. They’ve got a new album on the horizon, folks. And not just any album. It’s a collection of Julius Eastman’s compositions, dubbed Julius Eastman, Vol. 4: The Holy Presence. Mark your calendars for June 21 because that’s when it drops, courtesy of New Amsterdam.
Now, if you’re keen on getting a taste of what’s to come, there’s something special for you. Wild Up has released their rendition of Eastman’s “Our Father.” It’s available for your listening pleasure right now. Just hit up their Bandcamp page, and you’re all set.
The Holy Presence isn’t just another album. No, sir. It’s the fourth installment in Wild Up’s exploration of Eastman’s work. They’ve been at this since 2021, with albums like Femenine, Joy Boy, and If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich? already under their belt. This latest project? It shines a light on the more mystical and spiritually reflective pieces in Eastman’s repertoire.
So, what’s on the menu for this album? Well, we’ve got “Our Father,” “Piano 2,” “Prelude to the Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc,” and “The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc” itself. Each piece promises to be a journey, an exploration of Eastman’s lesser-known works that pack a punch of mysticism and spiritual reflection. It’s shaping up to be quite the auditory experience, if I do say so myself.
