Renowned Mzansi multi-instrumentalist Guy Buttery is on the brink of unveiling his most ambitious project to date.
The award-winning musician will be releasing his new album, “Orchestrations”, next month.
This breathtaking work encapsulates a twelve-year journey of meticulous crafting, expansive collaborations, and profound artistic exploration, earning a reputation as his “magnum opus”.
The roots of “Orchestrations” can be traced back to 2012 when Buttery joined the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform three of his compositions, arranged for a 52-piece ensemble.
For Buttery, this moment ignited a transformative dive into the world of orchestral composition.
With Buttery’s signature guitar at its core, the album unfolds as a lush, layered soundscape, inviting listeners to explore the intricate tapestry interwoven with global influences and expansive orchestral arrangements by Chris Letcher.
The 14-track offering is a testament to Buttery's keen attention to detail and unquenchable curiosity.
A stellar roster of international and South African musicians including Kaki King from New York, Derek Gripper from Cape Town, Julian Sartorius from Berne, Madala Kunene from Durban and Mudassir Khan from New Delhi, contributed to the album, which was recorded in 10 different places.
According to a statement, every song promises to be a distinct sound exploration that combines a variety of musical styles into a seamless whole.
“This extensive project is a testament to the perseverance and passion needed to realise such a grand vision,” it read.
Buttery said: “While creating something of this magnitude is often romanticized, the process is as much about moments of elation as it is about facing the drudgery of refinement.
“Returning again and again to these compositions has been an act of both madness and love.”
As part of the album launch, Buttery will undertake a proactive initiative by planting indigenous trees and removing invasive plant species to rehabilitate a local riverbed.
“I have already started actually. Between studio sessions and concert tours, I have been quietly rehabilitating a stretch of river in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, that was inundated with alien invasive plant species.
“The stream and surrounding grassland was also heavily clogged up from a nearby timber plantation as well as suffering erosion from cattle.
“Much like ‘Orchestrations’, this is a life's work. I am planting a forest. An actual one. It will likely take a decade or two. I'm not scared. The work has begun and I can already see a massive change.
“Your support here will continue the rehab of the land and an indigenous tree will be planted with your contribution,” he said.
To support the cause, visit Buttery’s Bandcamp page.