Doc Jazz announces upcoming release of new album

If you have been following the activities of Doc Jazz closely, you know that it has been quite some time since he released an actual album. His last full-blown album, inSURgency, dates back all the way to 2008. The 2012 album Intifada was more of a compilation album. The new and turbulent year of 2020 now finally holds the promise of a new CD!

As his new production is now in its final stages of completion, it has become time to lift the veil a little bit on what to expect. Let’s go through the why, what, and how.

Why an album?

“There are people who believe that albums are ‘dead’, in the new age of Spotify, live streaming, and iPods. There’s a lot to say for that, but at the same time, an album is still a separate artistic entity with it’s own raison d’être. I believe an album differs strongly from a playlist. It could be compared to a concert, or to a story. Perhaps, in our time of ‘Netflix binge watching’, I should compare it to a series. I still believe in albums myself, though I respect that not everyone else does.

Anyway, the reason why I decided to release an album is mainly that I want to somehow assert that in the past 10 years or so, I have not laid my musical activities to rest completely. Perhaps I even myself thought I was done. But lately, there has been some new inspiration, and some new approaches to sound. I guess I want a milestone, something to look back on, even if my album is met with disinterest. I’m alright with that, I’ve never had a commercial objective with my music anyway.”

What are we to expect?

“Good, genuine, honest music. I have learned new things about music production. I have also embraced and incorporated some of the different approaches to the soundscape that the 21st century has brought us. For people my age, that remains a ‘new sound’, even if the younger generation would define ‘new’ in a different way. I didn’t explore it to reach out to a different younger audience, but out of genuine curiosity and interest.

The main theme of my new album is love. That makes it different from my previous albums, which always put the Palestinian cause at center stage. Still, even on the new album Palestine is represented. That’s pure love too, after all. What else can I reveal for now? I guess that there are songs on it that no one outside my family have ever heard. I hope saying that makes people curious! Also, the songs vary from entirely electronic to entirely done on real instruments, and there’s quite a good list of hired session musicians involved.”

How will the album be released?

“I plan to release it through Amazon and on CD Baby. It should appear on Spotify, Youtube, and most of the well-known music platforms. I still have to explore the details of that, but I want it to be widely and easily available and accessible. When I release my album, I will temporarily change the settings on my main Soundclick directory to paid downloads. This is not about the money, I am just trying to give significance to the album release. Eventually, all my songs will be free again, including the new ones. That has always been the way I do it. Go ahead and download as many songs as you want as long as they’re still free!

I hope my friends and fans will support me, not necessarily by buying the album, but mostly by sharing the news about it. That’s all I ask. In the end, I would love for you to have my music anyway, if you want it. And if you want to wait it out until all my songs are free again, that is perfectly alright with me! I’m sure it won’t be long. I’ve never been a commercial type of guy. I do, however, love to share my music with the world. I have something to say with my songs. Perhaps I can reach some hearts out there. That’s what it’s all about for me.”

When?

“Very soon, in sha Allah! Stay tuned!”