This is anything but a Hatchett job

“A globally inspired search for a connection and commonality; wild nights dancing, the wild characters amongst us, the innate wildness of my surroundings.”

It’s unclear exactly what Cork-based musician Patrick Hatchett is describing here. It could be a description of the first LP from his solo project K3:lu (Curlew). It could also be a condensed love letter to his extensive travels. Whatever it is, it’s wild and it’s beautiful, just like his music.

What does his music sound like? I honestly couldn’t tell you. It’s not that I haven’t listened to it. I have. I’m actually listening to it as I write this. I simply can’t describe it.

It’s guitar music for sure, but there’s so much more going on here. The six track LP is a flavoursome, sonic happening that draws on Hatchett’s life experiences over many years.

From tales of late-night afrobeat jams, to early Sunday gospel duties, exhaustive travel and touring with legendary Jamaican artists, to intimate jazz gigs in a cosy South London pub, it’s all in there.

And on top of it all, you can dance to the album from start to finish. This lines up with Hatchett’s re-mixing and production prowess, tying everything together tightly on this speeding cultural train.

The record includes collaborations with Idris Rahman; Soothsayers; Anoushka Shankar; Wildflower and Zoe Rahman, as well as Irish musicians Seán Mac Erlaine; Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh; The Gloaming; Underground Resistance; Justin Grounds; The Vespertine Quintet, and Fir Beag.

The albums is out since Friday both digitally and on vinyl. Give it a listen. It’s not what you’re expecting! See K3lu.bandcamp.com for more.