Black Elk is both the duo of Ian Hawgood and Tim Martin (Maps and Diagrams), as well as the quartet of Ian, Tim, Danny Norbury and Clem Leek.

The first of two connected albums will be released on KOMU in July 2012. 

‘Anchor’ contains the raw, stripped-down mixes of the pieces which were originally intended to be a long-running collaboration between Danny and Ian. Recorded and mixed between 2009 and 2012, this collaboration ended up evolving into both the Kinder Scout and Black Elk groups, but the original work on ‘Anchor’ saw a more minimal approach with Clem and Tim, combined with guest appearances by Miko and Daniel Thomas Freeman. ‘Anchor’ is currently being re-edited and will be the second official Black Elk release, due out November 16th.

‘Sparks’ is the first full collaboration of the Black Elk quartet of Hawgood, Martin, Norbury and Leek. Whilst Ian and Tim take over acoustic, electronic, mixing and compositional duties, Danny is on cello and Clem on piano. ‘Sparks’ will be released July 27th.

Lawrence English is in charge of mastering duties for both releases.

Sparks | KOMU002 | July 27th | Photography by Jaime Montefort ©jaimemontefort2012

Anchor | KOMU005 | November 16th | Photography by Jaime Montefort ©jaimemontefort2012