Discography: Fractal
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Description
Produced, recorded and mixed by internationally acclaimed artist and songwriter Kevin Prosch.
Loren's latest release, Fractal, is very much a love story that explores the beauty of brokenness, purity and unity. The word fractal is derived from the Latin Fractus meaning fractured or broken. More specifically it refers to a geometric pattern that is self-similar yet infinitely complex. All seemingly random until seen from the proper perspective where they are revealed as a beautiful and purposeful work of art. Music can also be expressed as a fractal where varying patterns and time signatures and notes combine to creature beautiful pattern and a meaningful composition.
Fractal's order of tracks leads us into its story and invites the listener on a journey from believing into knowing. From the beginning of Fractal to its end, the dynamic spaciousness of its textured and layered sounds reflects an openness and elegant simplicity that transcends genre, cultural and religious barriers. It is an invitation to be undone and restored.
This recording captures the beauty of unity of diversity. Artists of different ethnicities, nationalities and styles came together from around the world in a gathering of classical, jazz, southern rock, gospel, folk, pop and world music backgrounds. From England: Martin Neil on drums (Kevin Prosch, Black Peppercorns, Martin Smith, Matt Redman); from Canada: Fergus Marsh on bass and Chapman Stick (Bruce Cockburn, Pierce Pettis Kevin, Peter Murphy, Kevin Prosch,); from Los Angeles: Alex Wurbrand, a classically trained violinist and film composer; also from Los Angeles: Marc Ford (the Black Crows, Ben Harper, Chris Lizotte); from Columbus, Ohio: Gregory Emler, trumpet (long time contributor to both studio recordings and live performances, Grammy nominated jazz instrumentalist). From L.A. (Lower Alabama): vocals were added by friend and international acclaimed recording artist JoAnn McFatter; from Nashville: additional vocals were contributed by Gerard and Jovaun Woods and Gayle Mays (Israel Houghton, CeCe Winans). Jason Tucker, Nashville adds piano (Dave Matthews, Eric Durrance, Ashley Cleveland). A treasure meant to be discovered on a journey from the first track to the last.
The Fractal Story
For the better part of this past year we have lived in the beautiful countryside outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Here on a hill, overlooking a meadow with magnolia, weeping willow, apple trees and an array of stunning species, I set up my studio and began the process of writing. We left behind a full, but hectic, life by the beach in Los Angeles. It was not my intention to leave, but after a year of recurring dreams, visions and confirming circumstances, we were compelled by divine leading to pack up everything and left behind the community that we loved.
On the drive from Los Angeles to Nashville, accompanied by our good friends Elliot and Robyn Rudell, we stopped in Amarillo, Texas to see Kevin and Shelly Prosch. Kevin proposed producing and recording my next project at his studio. It was an offer I could not refuse. So this became the year that I moved from Los Angeles to Nashville and made a record in Amarillo.
I love a good adventure but the voyage into the unfamiliar territory of Nashville left me off-balance, feeling awkward, and out of step. Perhaps that was the very point of the journey. I found myself outside of my comfort zone with my old compass spinning.
I watched the seasons change and did my best to drink it in. Too often, through my eyes, the colors all blended together. I began to recognize the familiar feeling of being broken. Being pruned without an ounce of control over what will come into contact with the gardener's blade or how dramatically. I don't like the process but I have come to treasure the results, so I found myself reluctantly yielding to the tension of it all. Still at times I gave into scrutinizing of the broken and fragmented pieces and feeling discouraged, fractured and lost. Through all of this I discovered a word that resonated with me. Fractal - a seemingly fractured and infinitely complex pattern that when seen from the right altitude reveals a masterful work of art. I wrestled with it until Fractal became a song. It became the catalyst for a journey from faith to trust which would require a completely new compass.
On this new compass, the markers are love, purity, brokenness and unity. True North is love. It sets the tone for everything else. It is the kind of love that is relational and cannot exist in a vacuum or in-theory. As a friend of mine would say, it requires getting your boots dirty.
On this compass, purity represents original design or intent of purpose. Like a precious metal or a gem, there is a glorious brilliance that is uncovered when it is seen in its most valuable form. For me it was about writing songs and removing any expectations or the need to fit into a category or genre. It meant returning to pleasing an audience of one. I wanted it to be a simple and pure offering.
I once associated brokenness with loss and difficulty. Now I have a new perspective. This year we planted our first garden. It took nearly three days to break up and prepare the hard ground. It was the process of preparing for fruitfulness. Here the smallest seed planted yields an amazing return.
Unity is the tremendous power of one-accord. It brings together diverse elements and causes them to move in concert. Here, original and new sounds and rhythms emerge. In the case of this project individuals came from England, Canada, Los Angeles, Columbus, lower Alabama, Nashville, met in Amarillo and were encouraged to express and contribute in a wonderful and unique way.
Simply put, Fractal began as the dangerous prayer of a broken man. Paraphrased it went something like this - purify me until I have returned to my original purpose. Break me until I am fertile ground. Unite me with you until I love what you love and love others the way you do. Place me by the river and cause trees to grow whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Let my life, my gifts, and my songs be an acceptable offering to you.
Then I heard your voice saying. " 'Fractal', everything is spinning but it's all right. It's all right. I see the end from the beginning and your true name is 'Beautiful in my sight'." Then you continued as if singing over me, " If you could see what I see - what you mean to me, then you would be dancing now, laughing out loud, spinning, spinning through the crowd."
So, once again, I remember and document in a collection of songs (for that is my way), how you have proven yourself over and over. Jealous and incessant is your love. Strong enough that if I were lost or hurting that you would move heaven and earth to find me. Secure in every way so that you are not shaken when I waver or break. Reminding all of us that you offer this love without prejudice. Free to anyone who will receive it.
"Are you cursed or are you blessed, a work of art or just a mess?" Do you think He knows your name? Listens for your voice? Awaits you in a place of beauty that will literally steal your breath? Beckons you to dance and fly - proclaiming amnesty from the accusations and charges leveled against you? You were made to be free. Free to receive the revelation of love that leaves us undone and takes us on a journey from believing into knowing. Here is what I see "I see the light of truth descending and its pushing back the night, setting wrong things right, restoring your sight. Breathing new life." So wake up sleeper, beautiful bride, the hour has come to rise up and shine like a beacon from the mountains and shores, trim every lantern singing great is the Lord!
Undone - for love has found me,
- Loren
