Malo Moray (aka Malo Moray & His Inflatable Knee) is a bassist, composer and performer from Leipzig, Germany and his latest release, 'Embrace,' was recorded live in front of a small audience of about two dozen people and recorded directly to vinyl completely in real-time, no overdubs. Using double bass, tapes, electronics and live processing, Malo explores a fragile and immersive sound world, somewhere between ambient, krautrock and jazz, inspired by Brian Eno. Laurie Anderson, David Sylvian, Swans and Soundwalk Collective. Malo says 'Embrace' is about presence- celebrating slowness and trust.

Malo's inspiration influences are certainly commendable, but don't expect the album to sound like any of them in particular. The album is only four tracks of varying lengths in about 41 minutes. First track, "Over The Mountain Range" begins with a background ambient drone (sustained synth chord) and incidental electronic crackle/static and then bass improvisation, later with bowed and processed bass background (possibly on tape), and after the bowed bass becomes the soloing instrument. With solo bowed stringed instruments there is often a degree of melancholy and that is not absent here. About 10:40 into the piece Malo begins his vocal recitation, a sort of speak-singing- not dissimilar to Laurie Anderson's style; a sort of anecdotal dream sequence that is visceral in an unexpected way. The story-like dialogue draws you in compelling your attention. It blends into track 2, "Himiko" with ethereal wordless vocals borne on an ambient cloud. More bowed bass follows. Track 3, "I Am Here Now" sounds like spring with ambient natural sounds (a stream, birds) and orchestral synth strings. A couple minutes into the piece Malo beings another vocal recitation There is applause at the end of this one, just to let you know that it's live and Malo addresses the audience in his native Deutsche, while all of his recitations have been in English. Final track, "Vanishing Act" conjures Leonard Cohen vocally, and the combination of bass and the ambient background is just gorgeous. I am truly impressed. More applause and a final brief address in German follows.

All things considered, this is a remarkable recording, a magical experience that transcends many of the live albums I've ever heard. While the deluxe limited editions are sold out, the Blueberry Translucent vinyl with 12-page booklet, OBI, poster and postcard (limited edition of 70) and Lemon Popsicle Translucent vinyl with 12-page booklet and OBI (limited edition of 200) and Blueberry Cake CD (limited edition of 100) are still available. You really need to hear this. Highly recommended!