Ahead of the release of their beguiling new LP, The Galloping Cat, Essex-based harp and synth duo Masal, comprising Özlem Simsek and Alastair Johnson, joined me for a quick video chat. Please press on the two cats below and gambol with us.
The Galloping Cat finds this unlikely pair of “neurodiverse nature lovers” collaborating on six meandering tracks of psychedelic grooves, electronic weirdness and motorik basslines mostly wordlessly exploring themes of self-discovery – and it’s stunning.
Sonic Cathedral
Masal’s sophomore LP
The Galloping Cat is, in fact, Masal’s second LP. Charity Shop was their debut and the duo discussed their first at length in the video.
The follow-up album starts with a vaguely sci-fi feel. However, ‘Ouroboros’ quickly reveals the duo’s humanity in which Oz’s childhood journey through organised religion is charted, her sweet, wordless vocals to the fore. The record also deals with grief and loss (‘Dying Days’), the sound of healing (‘Gul’), and a three-part epic “symbolising the frailty and fragility of the human mind” (‘Dokuz’).
A thoughtful LP … to which you can cut a rug
The Galloping Cat is a work of compassion and tenderness. It’s also surprisingly funky (see ‘Dying Days’ and ‘Dokuz’) with Al revealing hitherto undiscovered Clyde Stubblefield-style chops behind the (digital) drumkit.
Oz provided some background: “I bought my pedal harp last year and returned to my classical repertoire from years ago. So I have been influenced by some epic names who historically wrote for the harp, such as Alphonse Hasselmans and Félix Godefroid.”
Both these factors considered, the record beautifully hits the sweet spot between Alice Coltrane and The Portico Quartet.
Final thoughts
The duo hit the road to support the LP’s release. See the upcoming live shows below. Also, BBC Radio 6 Music has been giving Masal fantastic airplay. Check out a musical act on the cusp of great things.
The Galloping Cat is available on CD/digital on 22 March via Kartel; Up In Her Room release the vinyl version on 17 May.
Upcoming Masal shows include:
Thursday, 11 April – New River Studios – London
Thursday, 18 April – Nottingham – Church Of Sound
Thursday, 2 May – Biddle Bros. – London
Friday, 10 May – Colchester – Arts Centre
Saturday, 11 May – Southend – Tea & Oranges
Saturday, 18 May – Wood Festival – Oxfordshire
Saturday, 15 June – Essex Green Weekend – Othona
Friday, 21 June – Hot Box – Chelmsford
Saturday, 6 July – Colchester – Mickfest
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[…] is a collaboration between Al Johnson and Ozlem Simsek. Ozlem is a Turkish multi-instrumentalist whose middle eastern background is entwined with her […]