Lucid Dreamers — the debut album from Brigitte Beraha’s new band brings this creative vocalist’s versatility to the fore with a mixture of acoustic and electronic elements exploring the paradox of modern life, where simplicity and chaos collide to create something imperfectly wondrous.

Recorded live at the beginning of the year at Iklectik in south London, the spontaneity, freedom and energy of this album offer the perfect antidote to the current lack of live music available. 

Recognisable in the depth of its expression, thoughtfulness and versatility, for which Beraha is well known, this album also represents a new departure for the composer and vocalist. An enchantingly free embrace of acoustic and electronic sounds, jazz and contemporary classical, this is music that refuses to be contained or categorised.

Thematically apt to the times we’re collectively living through, Beraha’s compositions explore  the distancing between humanity and nature, with often terrifying results, alongside the desire to find a path back to unity.

“We didn’t want a faultless studio set-up for this album, but rather to capture the essence of live performance with both its fragility and imperfections and its unrepeatable moments of magic and elation. This, to me, represents the feeling behind the music; like life, it is real, spontaneous and unexpected and portrays a whole range of experiences and aspirations.” Brigitte Beraha 

The first single, Pandora’s Box, released on 3 June, encapsulates these core ideas. Written by Beraha in reaction to the increasingly troubled times we live in, its messaging seems all the more relevant today. Taking the listener from a peaceful opening through to fierce, free improvisation and back to a place of hopeful calm, it is a truly reflective and cathartic listening experience.

This level of confidence and freedom can only come from a superb matching of musicians. Originally debuted as a trio at Queen Elizabeth Hall late last year, the addition of pianist Alcyona Mick has completed a quartet of high-quality players who each bring their own individuality while also working together seamlessly as one. As so beautifully shown on the title track, Lucid Dreamers, it is evident that these musicians are able to lose themselves fully in the music while knowing the strands that connect them will never be broken. The result is an undeniably rich and exciting yet unified sound. 

“There is such trust and connection between us all. When we play together, we are completely free to express ourselves; it is all about discovery and the joy of the journey. This is what breathes such life into my compositions and we hope the live nature of this album captures those elements of passion, excitement and a leap into the unknown.” Brigitte Beraha