Cwmwl Tystion III / Empathy is the third and final instalment of trumpeter and composer Tomos Williams's ground-breaking jazz project dealing with Welsh culture and history.​

 

The hand-picked band consists of two giants of the international jazz scene; Melvin Gibbs from Brooklyn on electric bass and the French/Vietnamese electric guitarist Nguyên Lê, alongside two stellar Welsh vocalist Eadyth Crawford and Mared Williams, and two of Tomos's long-term collaborators, Mark O'Connor (drums) and Simon Proffitt (live visuals).​

 

The sound of Cwmwl Tystion III / Empathy is that of an 'augmented power-trio', a rock-heavy rhythm section accompanied by two distinctive, unique Welsh female vocalists and Tomos' on trumpet.

 

The Empathy Suite, composed by Tomos, includes deep grooves, searing guitar solos, heavy bass sounds, Welsh folk melodies, abstract free improvisation, alongside moments of breathtaking vocal tenderness and a recording of a Welsh hymn.

 

The soulful vocal duet at the beginning of 'Beth yw maddau? What is forgiving?' sits next to the searing funk opener Welsh Not and the heavy rock of Mynydd Epynt 1940.

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The centrepiece of the Empathy Suite is a tribute to the Aberfan disaster of 1966, while the Welsh folk tune 'Hiraeth' is interwoven throughout the suite, making three appearances. There are also tributes to Paul Robeson and his close relationship with Wales, the Miners' Strike of 1984 and a recognition of Wales' current status as A Nation of Sanctuary (more information on these in the sleeve notes).​

 

Wadada Leo Smith's totemic ' Ten Freedom Summer's and Matana Roberts' 'Coin Coin' series were pivotal influences on Tomos, making Cwmwl Tystion a contribution to this landscape both celebrating and questioning the idea of Welshness.​

 

The band Harriet Tubman was also a crucial touchstone for the Cwmwl Tystion project, so having Melvin Gibbs on bass guitar (Harriet Tubman's bassist) on this recording brings one of the core influences directly into the music.

 

Nguyên Lê has been an European and international master of rock/fusion guitar for decades, his searing guitar work bringing John McLaughlin and Mike Stern to mind, while he also provides moments of intense sensitivity accompanying Mared Williams's soaring vocals.

 

The band toured Wales with one performance in London in early summer 2024. The music on the album was recorded live at Cafe OTO, London, Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil and the Lost ARC in Rhayader. Each performance was also augmented by live visuals from Simon Proffitt.​

 

The title 'Cwmwl Tystion' (meaning Cloud of witnesses), although Biblical in its source, is derived in this instance from a poem by the Welsh poet, pacifist and nationalist Waldo Williams (1904-1971) ‘Pa Beth yw Dyn?’ (What is Man?) in which he confronts the existential issues of his time.​

 

Tomos Williams says: “Following on from the success of both previous Cwmwl Tystion iterations in 2019 and 2021, it felt right to me that the project should be a trilogy, therefore making this Cwmwl Tystion III / Empathy, the final instalment.

 

Having used fantastic musicians such as Huw Warren, Rhodri Davies, Soweto Kinch and Orphy Robinson in previous iterations, I was keen to reach for the stars and invite two stellar international artists to join me on this final journey. Both Melvin Gibbs and Nguyên Lê have been heroes of mine for decades, so to tour Wales and perform with them night after night was somewhat surreal! The music came to life and both stamped their own sound and authority on the music in the most emphatic and sensitive way.​

 

I also hope that this album will introduce Eadyth Crawford and Mared Williams' magnificent vocals to a new audience. Both Eadyth and Mared represent a new generation of young Welsh vocalists who are fearless in their creativity – both are phenomenal talents, and crucial to the success of this final Cwmwl Tystion chapter.”​

 

Tŷ Cerdd Director Deborah Keyser adds: “I am really thrilled that we have been able to add Cwmwl Tystion III/ Empathy to our Tŷ Cerdd catalogue. It feels more important than ever to celebrate composers and performers and we are so pleased to have released this ground-breaking trilogy of 'Cwmwl Tystion' recordings on Tŷ Cerdd's in-house imprint, which continues with our mission of bringing a range of Welsh music to a wider audience. Tŷ Cerdd has been expanding our artist development initiatives and striving to reach further with our work, our mantra being: ‘If you’re making music in Wales, it’s Welsh music!’ Our role of nurturing and developing music in Wales has never seemed as crucial as it does today.”​

 

The musicians: Tomos Williams (trumpet, composer),Nguyên Lê (electric guitar), Eadyth Crawford (vocals, effects), Mared Williams (vocals) Melvin Gibbs (electric bass, effects) Mark O'Connor (drums), Simon Proffitt (live visuals)