Udo Pannakeet - album notes

In the summer of 2015, I formed an idea of writing a longer composition which had different moods, grooves and colors. When I started writing, I had a large ensemble in mind. I composed and arranged at the same time. One idea led to another. It took me just four weeks of intensive work to write the whole composition. With some help from top notch arranger Dirk Keizer, I learned, during those four weeks, how to get the best out of the horn parts and how to convert the ‘strings’ sections into what I wanted, flowing movements. It was a very exciting process. After I finished writing the project, it all came to a halt because I had no idea how to get it recorded. I envisioned using a full orchestra but I didn’t see myself capable of organizing one. In the meantime, life itself brought some changes and challenges, so the composition stayed on the shelf, parked if you like, for quite some time.
However, in the Spring of 2018 I teamed up with Marcel Serierse. He encouraged me to record this piece, to just go with it and not to think too much on how to get all the parts recorded. And so we started working.

The Antibes Situation is an old composition, which has never been recorded, and somehow it popped up in my head for this album. I wrote it in 2004 during a vacation in the south of France when my car broke down in Antibes. What started as a disastrous day, actually turned into one of the best days of my life. Drinking and relaxing all day long in the shade next to a cage with exotic birds while someone else fixed my car.
Along with two brand new pieces, we recorded the drums for the whole album in two days.
But it still took quite some time to complete the recording. In between tours and other studio work I called in some of my favourite musicians. They brought their magic to the studio.
I recorded at Wedgeview studios which is very much my second home.
Everything started to come together and we ended up mixing the record in the summer of 2019. I breathed a sigh of relief when I completed the mixes - the ideas that I had had were finally finished.

The making of this album covered a period of five years in my life which made it into an album of personal reflection. Electric Regions was composed such a long time ago that I had to change it along the way so that it reflected my musical development and interest. It also made me realize that life constantly transforms, it is both scary and beautiful.

I am very proud to have all these wonderful musicians on the record. It makes me grateful and humble to hear so much talent and energy gathered here on my album.
Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to all the men of FOCUS, with whom I have played and travelled with for the past 3 years. Playing all over the world with these giants of music has made me into a better musician, composer and producer. I thank them all.

I hope you enjoy the album.