Multi-instrumentalist Robert Stillman asks, What Does It Mean to Be American?, on new album

With Stillman creating and recording all parts – on tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, and drums.

UK-based, US-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Robert Stillman is releasing a new album called What Does It Mean to Be American? via Orindal Records/KIT Records this January.

Listen next: Listen to Robert Stillman’s solo saxophone session on VF Radio

“Part of growing up into an adult has meant coming to terms with the American Identity in total. In other words, recognising that to selectively claim aspects of American identity is a narcissistic game of illusion,” Stillman shares.

“This music, like much of my other recorded output, is the product of a solo studio process that involves extensive layering of multi-track recordings of me playing various instruments – tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, piano and drums.”

What Does It Mean To Be American draws on elements of jazz, drone, funk, blues, psychedelia and chamber music.

What Does It Mean to Be American? by ROBERT STILLMAN

Stillman’s 2017 cassette-only album, Portals, comprised of minimal electric piano improvisations, is also being released at the same time.

Portals (2022 Remaster) by ROBERT STILLMAN

Now making its vinyl debut, Portals (2022 Remaster) includes bonus track ‘Portal 8 (The Stranger)’.

Pre-order What Does It Mean to Be American? and Portals (2022 Remaster) here in advance of their 21st January release, check out the artwork and tracklist below.