Add to these creative trials the increasing turmoil of our weather systems and the understanding that there are perhaps more people on the planet than can be healthily be supported. Human actions have certainly contributed to climate change. Thus, the quotidian stress can be considerable. Finding relief through musical escape is most welcome.
For many creative people, the pandemic shutdown perhaps afforded more time to paint, compose, and write. And share the fruits of their labours. One such soul is Montréal’s Valmar Kurol, who first came to this writer’s attention back in 1999 with the release of Antarctic Arrival, a lovely CD — composed in tandem with Marc-André Bourbonnais — giving tribute to a frozen land. I had the pleasure of writing about this recording in Meie Elu’s English-language section, establishing, in the process, a personal fascination for the distant continent, as well as continuing contact with Kurol. Since that musical introduction to Antarctica’s wonders a quarter century ago, Kurol and his present musical collaborator Michael Stibor have released six further albums exploring what Antarctica can sound like. Interestingly, since the onset of the pandemic the duo have been very prolific — four CDs of splendid instrumental styling in four years, inspired by many genres such as blues, rock, reggae, calypso, and samba have reached these ears.
…Kurol’s liner notes are thoughtful and educational, particularly with regard to Antarctic activities and research of a continent that is 98% covered by ice…
Their latest, Shards from Antarctica arrived in Toronto, no thanks to Canada Post, which has in their maw the first mailing. But Purolator got the job done. Once again, even before popping the disc into the Bose — a quality CD player adds so much to the Antarctic experience — the cover and the accompanying booklet provided visual pleasure. The cover art is, as always, eye-catching; Michael Valcenat’s graphics are exquisite as are Kurol’s photographs. As has been the case with every CD, Kurol’s liner notes are thoughtful and educational, particularly with regard to Antarctic activities and research of a continent that is 98% covered by ice but home to numerous species, both fauna and flora.
Stibor’s introductory notes emphasize that the album continues to expand and broaden the perception of what music related to Antarctica can sound like. Thus further developing the expressions found in the musical sketches of 2023’s Shades of Antarctica and 2022’s rocking Mysteries of Antarctica, which provided considerable cheer and enjoyment during trying days. And still do.
Shards from Antarctica shows the depth and musical maturity of the duo. As Kurol’s own introduction notes, the recording brings to the fore the “mixture of styles and themes that are mere shards of the range of emotions and interests that Antarctica may inspire.” The album notes expand on this thought, all nine cuts are introduced, beginning with “Happiness is ice”, an ode of joy to ice, the “remarkable solid state of water that acts as the earth’s thermostat” which, alas, is melting at an alarming rate, sure to bring about a devastation of unimaginable levels. The final cut, “Lush Green Snow” focuses on the short spring season on the frozen continent, when green algae blooms en masse. Thus providing a colourful picture of the complex algal ecosystem found there.
This hardy species hibernates, comes to life in the short summer season, living in water droplets in the soil and moss. They have four pairs of legs with claws and suction discs, two eyes, and a mouth. Fascinating.
Not only whales, seals, and penguins are dependent on the ice for breeding and food. The whimsically titled “Water Bears Are Moss Piglets” focus on introducing the listener to the existence of microscopic invertebrates called tardigrades, commonly known by scientists as they are described in the title. This hardy species hibernates, comes to life in the short summer season, living in water droplets in the soil and moss. They have four pairs of legs with claws and suction discs, two eyes, and a mouth. Fascinating.
These instrumental pieces vary in style but can be grouped into MOR, middle-of-the-road, with two notable exceptions. “Loneliest Continent Blues” is a composition that riffs on the predominating themes of the genre: sadness and hard times. Appropriate, as due to its isolation and bleakness, Antarctica is often called the loneliest continent. And expanding on the ecological and environmental impact of human activity, Carole Desmarteau, Valmar’s wife, contributes a rousing melodic track, “Oh Mama Earth”. It’s all bad news for Gaia lately, as Kurol notes — garbage and industrial toxins, pollution everywhere, species extinction, floods, fires, pestilence, and war. However, rather than dwell on that and deliver a eulogy, this tune evolves into a bouncy R&B number featuring Stibor’s excellent guitar solos, which more than complement his keyboard skills. A hopeful finish to a number that begins with a sigh, but certainly ends in a rousing chorus of hope.
As with every Kurol CD release, more is available online. Visit shardsfromantarctica.com , Spotify, and Amazon Music. Kurol's music is also on YouTube. This album is sure to warm up the upcoming winter nights and generate much needed positivity in our age of gloom and doom.
