When Mountains Speak is the improvisational creative vehicle of multi-instrumental composer and producer Steven Clarkson. The prolific experimental Texan musician is a five-decade veteran of the music business. The project has produced nearly thirty albums since 2020. Regular readers will remember recent titles like Solitude and Center of Infinity.
Sphere of Relativity is the brand new album from When Mountains Speak, released worldwide via all major streaming services on November 1, 2024. Although he sometimes works with collaborators, Clarkson played all the instruments on this latest improvisational set. Beginning with the guitar tracks, Steven then adds layers of saxophone, harmonica, bass, and percussion to create his abstract tapestry of sound.
The album opens on the title track, a guitar and harmonica-fueled sonic exploration of the cosmos. “Phil” continues that vibe, and dives even deeper into the dissonant psychedelia. The track’s title is a tribute to the recently deceased legendary Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh.
Sax takes center stage on “I’ve Got Something to Show You”, as it wraps its voodoo around Steve’s signature guitar alchemy. The record closes on the 15:30 epic “Not in This Lifetime”. The piece includes the album’s first and only instance of a sustained drum kit beat. On the track, Clarkson fills the space between the notes with found sounds, vocal effects, and sporadic percussion.
Listen to Sphere of Relativity on your favorite streaming service. Check out the title track video below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Dive : Jazz & Classical playlist. Follow the inks below to connect with When Mountains Speak.