Disc 01 01. "When The World Was One" 02. "A Far Away Place" 03. "Falling Water" 04. "Patterns"
Disc 02 01. "Kiyomizu-Dera" 02. "Sagano Bamboo Forest" 03. "Tribute To Alice Coltrane"
Description:
When The World Was One is something of a companion piece to Matthew Halsallā??s 2012 album Fletcher Moss Park (much of the music was written at the same time) but draws more explicitly on Halsallā??s love of spiritual jazz and Eastern music as well as his own studies in meditation and travels in Japan. Beautifully recorded at Hasallā??s favourite studio, 80 Hertz in Manchester, and engineered by Brendan Williams and George Atkins it features the recording debut of Halsallā??s large ensemble, The Gondwana Orchestra, which utilises the exotic flavours of harp, koto and bansuri flute and Eastern scales to create a global palate for Halsallā??s life-affirming sounds.
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"When the World Was One - BioVinyl Edition" is an audiophile LP pressing of one of the key albums by trumpeter and composer Matthew Halsall and his ensemble The Gondwana Orchestra. Rooted in spiritual jazz, modal harmonies and meditative grooves, this record unfolds like a quiet journey: warm trumpet lines, shimmering harp, delicate piano figures and subtle rhythmic patterns create a deeply immersive, almost timeless sound world. The compositions are spacious and melodic, inviting focused listening as well as relaxed, late-night ambience, and the BioVinyl pressing emphasizes the organic, detailed nature of the recording with rich dynamics and a natural, open soundstage.
Matthew Halsall has become one of the central voices in contemporary spiritual and modal jazz from the UK, known for his contemplative tone, strong melodic sense and his role in shaping the Manchester jazz scene through his work as a bandleader and label head. With The Gondwana Orchestra he explores a broad sonic palette that often weaves in influences from classical, world and ambient music, creating records that appeal equally to jazz aficionados and open-minded listeners looking for depth and atmosphere. Over the years, his projects have gained growing international recognition in the jazz community and beyond, valued for their emotional honesty and understated virtuosity.
The BioVinyl Edition of "When the World Was One" reflects a growing focus on sustainability in high-quality record production. Pressed on bio-based vinyl instead of conventional PVC, it offers a more environmentally conscious way to enjoy analogue sound without compromising audio quality. For collectors and fans of Halsall's work, this edition combines musical substance, audiophile appeal and a smaller ecological footprint, making it a standout addition to any jazz-oriented vinyl library.
The LP is released by Gondwana / Indigo. Gondwana Records, founded in Manchester, has established itself as one of the most influential independent labels in modern jazz and related genres, known for its carefully curated roster and high production standards. The label focuses on contemporary, often spiritual-leaning jazz and atmospheric, boundary-pushing music, and has helped bring a new wave of UK jazz artists to a worldwide audience. Indigo, as distribution and manufacturing partner, is recognized within the independent music sector for reliable, quality physical releases and a strong commitment to supporting niche and artist-driven projects. Together, Gondwana and Indigo offer a combination of artistic vision and technical excellence that perfectly suits an atmospheric, nuanced album like "When the World Was One - BioVinyl Edition".
Swing
12.242
- Bigband Swing 173- Dixieland(Revival) 25- Oldtime Jazz 141- Other Swing 11.785- Ragtime 12- Swing Combos 106
