An album released by the Ancient Future ensemble is always a musical event that transcends the boundaries of a specific style to enter the area of a fusion where world music diversity meets artistic mastery. This album includes 8 tributes reimagined under the concept of an original creative approach. The new life of these songs adds a spiritual essence to the originals, enriching the sound rainbow with unexpected colors and emotions. It is worth noting the crystalline clarity of the group’s sound, which contributes to the creation of a warm, harmonious realm infused into the the entire album. Ethnic instruments take over the original fiber to develop it in the direction of a vision beyond borders that enchants the listener.
Purple Spirits is a collection of tributes to artists Ancient Future has historical connections with. “Punjabi Jhinzaki” is a tribute to tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain, who was very instrumental in the development of Ancient Future and appears on Ancient Future’s World Without Walls release. “Spirit of Nirvana” acknowledges the surprising history between Ancient Future and the band Nirvana. “East of the Sun (Studio Version)” features wind virtuoso Paul McCandless of Oregon. Sadly, this is the last oboe recording featuring him to be released, as in 2017 he was diagnosed with a health condition that led him to retire from playing oboe, although he kept a busy performance schedule on his other wind instruments until 2025. “Tres Tarantas Tres” is a tribute to David Easley, Matthew Montfort‘s high school guitar student who became a master flamenco player. “Purple Nam and Purple Haze (Vietnamese Đàn Bầu Style)” is a
tribute to Jimi Hendrix that incorporates Indian raga and Vietnamese music.
Featured Musicians
Purple Spirits features Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar 11- string fretless guitar, flamenco guitar, fretless bass), Aditya Kalyanpur (tabla), George Brooks (saxophone), Kai Eckhardt (fretless bass), Mariah Parker (keyboards, santur), Benjy Wertheimer (tabla), Paul McCandless (oboe), Bui Huu Nhut (Vietnamese đàn bầu), and Abbos Kosimov (Uzbek percussion).
Purple Spirits Save: https://orcd.co/purplespirits
Catalog Number: Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-20312. UPC: 825336203129. Recording Copyright: ℗ 2026 Ancient-Future.Com Records. All rights reserved. Digital Album Sales Date: Friday, April 10, 2026. CD Release Date: May 29, 2026. Radio Add Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Web Page: ancient-future.com/purplenirvana.html. One-Sheet (166k .pdf with audio/video links): purple spirits 1 sheet.pdf. Formats: Audio Download, Streaming, CD. Genres: World Music, World Fusion, Indian Jazz. Smart Link: orcd.co/purplespirits. LP Links (Live Friday, April 10, 2026): Qobuz (Hi-Res 24-Bit/96 kHz) • Spotify • Apple • Tidal • Deezer • Amazon • YouTube • Soundcloud • Pandora • Freegal (Participating Public Libraries) • KKBox (Japan, Southeast Asia)