released January 16, 2015

Quasimodo Production liner notes:
Voltaire Mani Al Hakim is a firomeyan artist, musician and writer from the so-called parallel scene opposing the main art menagerie founded by the government and institutions. He has been working in different side projects and bands, including in: Zigot, Gospoda Tenekievi, La Colonie Volvox, Svirachinja. He is also the founder of the project entitled Lost Degeneros (published for Quasimodo Production – his own label), a plastic band without a permanent lineup and sometimes consisting of up to ten people, with artist such as H.P. Duchev, V. Kiborg, D. Veljanovski, B. Vasilevski, Roterdam Sisters, J. Mišić. What we present here is the first official compilation authorized by Voltaire himself.
The following material is an attempt at capturing musical fascinations or a sort of musical diaries, concentrated mainly on the momentary and intuitive ways of inspiration and influences. In these pieces of obscure musical scores, all instruments, vocals and lyrics, and the whole art concept, where delivered by a mysterious figure known as Voltaire Mani Al Hakim. Originally born and raised in Skopje, he has claimed himself to be the seventh incarnation of the Prophet Mani. Related more via metaphysical, sometimes even occult, cabalistic influences, Voltaire has been keeping his observations within the realms of mater and spirit science. The following double material is divided in two parts / albums: “No matter the clouds Stars are still there” and “Sitra Achra (The Other Side). Music presented here has been recorded in a very simplistic manner, sometimes even directly on a computer, and later evolved to a type of a demo. Since we don’t have any other available documents on this artist, here we have the historical opus representing the dark nature of the search for a lost chord. Voltaire Mani Al Hakim is also active in writing, acting and different types of artistic endeavors. This album is a real example of Lo-Fi definition, and indie recording. These days everything is consumable, so here comes the holly water. The cover art was conceptualized and designed by Pavlović-Manchevsky, and is originally inspired by the LP Holly Water. This album is among the first conceptual statements in Macedonia made through the use of multiple and diverse genres, ranging from minimalism to modern pop. All songs were recorded in one take, with very few overdubs. Voltaire is passionate about mistakes; therefore the recording deliberately gravitates towards a more organic sound. Considering that all of these audio recordings are demos planned for studio, they may be described as small audio vignettes. We apologize in advance if the listener suffers vertigo as a result of the consumption of this product; it is most definitely the author’s primary intention. Last, but not least, the office of Quasimodo Production (Voltaire`s publishing company) would like to thank the manager Saša Pavlović for all remarkable help and efforts towards the preparations for publication of this material.

[2015 Kritika 001]
kritika.mk/album/sveta-voda-kritika-001/