“Pulse Music” pianist James Heather releases past trauma through musical catharsis on a beautiful and progressive new version of his track ‘Hidden Angel’, with the assistance of the T.S.Eliot Prize award winning poet Roger Robinson, ethereal soundscaper Penelope Trappes and textures of saxophone by Specimens.

The original version of ‘Hidden Angel’ appeared on Heather’s second album ‘Invisible Forces’ (“Dreamy, poignant, beautiful” FT, “Beautiful and emotionally engaging” Clash) in 2022. The track, for the first time, tackled a horrific road traffic accident he experienced and subsequent journey out of a coma. Presented by way of a letter of forgiveness in the form of a solo piano piece to the driver who hit him on his bike, and still may not know he survived, he always felt as though the song had a second chapter. Meeting with Roger Robinson, Penelope Trappes and Specimens at Hackney Road Studios for a day, the three improvised this new version live in the studio with Sean Woodlock engineering and mixing. 

Heather says “The collaborative nature of this track is like a moment of transcendence from the trauma associated with this event. Really the point of this track is that it is not my own story anymore, the themes of forgiveness and overcoming bitterness we may carry around are beyond just me. I felt Roger’s talent for the universal and profound through words, could express the lessons learnt from this pivotal period of my life. Also, I remember listening to some beautiful brass music at the scene of the accident some years after and it was important I had that represented, so step forward my friend Specimens. I knew the innate musicality of Penelope Trappes would add depth to the track and I felt she understood where my art was coming from”. 

On being trusted with verbalising Heather’s story, Roger Robinson says “I’ve always been moved by James’ music and his story of survival so it was an easy yes to write something for it because in a way it’s about life, purpose and fate. The things that are essential elements in everyone’s life”.

Penelope Trappes adds “James’ story of metamorphosis, touching death and then returning to us - rebuilding his life with pure love - is so powerful. You can hear it resonating in his art, with that same energy filling the studio during the Hackney Road Session. It was an honour to collaborate on this song, which I feel encapsulates the beauty of unbridled kindness”.

Specimens says “I have known James for the best part of 10 years, on my first album I sampled some of his piano on a track. To be able to step into his musical house and contribute alongside Penelope and Roger was quite a humbling experience”.

Heather concludes “The single’s release week lands on the 15th anniversary of the accident, which seemed like an apt time to release it as a stand alone piece of music”. 

As a child, Heather’s Grandad taught him composition and how to manipulate the tuning of piano strings. Inspired by Beethoven, Debussy and his neighbour’s Acid House pirate radio show, composing on piano became his passion and after his near death experience he had the energy to step out as an artist. His approach, that he dubs ‘Pulse Music’, finds him playing freely, with no metronome or notation but instead his instinct deciding where things go, an approach less common in classical music. His art takes as much from electronic music in sensibility and post-rock in its exploration of meditative builds as it does its classical and jazz grounding. 

‘Invisible Forces’ (nominated for a 2023 LIBERA award for Best Classical Album in the USA) followed his well received 2017 debut album ‘Stories From Far Away On Piano’ (“Tender and touching” Loud & Quiet, “A fragile, beautiful album” The Line Of Best Fit). In 2018 he was remixed by DJ Seinfeld, Mary Lattimore, Sarah Davachi and Echo Collective for his “Reworks” album, with supporters including Cillian Murphy, Nils Frahm, Nabihah Iqbal, Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder label and The Cinematic Orchestra, who asked him to rework them in 2020. In 2021 he released a new version of 'And She Came Home' with added strings for Coldcut's ambient '@0 compilation' in aid of CALM, Mind, and Black Minds Matter, with the song being promoted as a double-single alongside Ryuichi Sakamoto. Most recently, in July 2023, Rafael Anton Irisarri officially released a live recording from September 2022  taken from Cafe OTO, London of the encore to his show which featured live improvisation by Heather on grand piano, Rachika Nayar  on guitar and Dear Laika on violin. Heather also presents the monthly radio show Moving Sounds, showcasing music and people within ambient, modern classical and soundtrack music and its offshoot genres, on Soho Radio. Art for the release, as with all Heather’s releases so far, is by SUKI. 

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