Renowned for his electronic with strong references to jazz, swing, and cinematic sounds, Waldeck announces his triumphant return with his new album, The Moon and the Orient, via Dope Noir Records.
The brilliant musician with a PhD in law, Waldeck, made his debut in the late ‘90s and, together with musicians like Kruder & Dorfmeister, catapulted Viennese electronic music to global prominence. Ballroom Stories, his highly acclaimed album, continues to be a benchmark for dance music worldwide.
Following his signing with SONY and widespread recognition in nightclubs, radio, and the advertising industry, Waldeck founded his record label, Dope Noir Records, in 2001.
Waldeck dedicates his seventh studio album to Genies and Scheherazade. The Moon and the Orient, captivates with a strong feeling of mystery, wonder, and surprise combined with an oriental ambience. The works explore the fun forms of the selected genre with the customary rigour, yet they inevitably fall into that distinctive, familiar, and pleasant Waldeck sound.
When writing music, Waldeck often starts with a topic and works on the track after that. But with this record, he had already gathered several blueprints that pointed him in the right way. “These tracks are the best of the best that I have always wanted to release, but never found the place for them,” says Walkdeck.
Though the record uses a little more electronics than its predecessors, The Moon and the Orient, is nonetheless classy and sophisticated. From the start to the final bar, the rhythms frequently emerge like cobras from their baskets, keeping the tension high. Emotions of longing and exoticism caress and fuel elegant arrangements, while buried yearning to yearn for fulfilment and a return. His musical range however goes far beyond this. Waldeck came to define the kind of downtempo ‘Vienna sound’ which was popular in the ‘90s and early noughties, with influences from dub and trip-hop.
The concept album tells the tale of how the genie is never completely free. For a minimum of 1001 nights, the person who frees the 12 Waldeck genies from their oil lamps will charm hearts and ears, whether they are in a ballroom, on the dance floor, or wherever else where love is sought after. Drag performers Lucy McEvil and Zeebee make an appearance on the album. Patrizia Ferrara, his consistent musical partner since 2017, features on vocals with her captivating performance that accentuates the album’s beauty.
Waldeck further demonstrates his versatility as an artist with a tapestry of expressive reality, resonating lyricism, lingering melodies, fascinating storytelling, and magical creations. He skillfully combines emotional depth with serenity. The album is as masterful as it is tragic, encapsulating the spirit of a masterwork 12-track record.
With a consistent back catalogue of high-quality releases since his debut album, his latest offering showcases a more polished style, format, and dedication to Waldeck’s outstanding music.
On the release, Waldeck shares, “The orient is a wonderful place of stories and imagination. I also like the idea of genies which seem to be the personification of the saying “be careful what you wish for”.”
The Moon and the Orient, makes a lasting impression on the listener because of the evocative vocals and thoughtful compositions that combine to create a sonically diverse journey that transcends boundaries.
