"Last Night The Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes In The Street" is a captivating studio album by the pioneering trumpeter and composer Jon Hassell, released under the esteemed ECM Records label in February 2009. This album marks a significant return for Hassell, 25 years after his last ECM recording, "Power Spot," and showcases his unique blend of ambient, minimalist, avant-garde, and drone genres, all filtered through his distinctive trumpet playing.
The album's title is drawn from a poem by the 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic Rumi, setting a contemplative and introspective tone. Hassell, accompanied by a collective of mutable personnel, weaves a tapestry of sound that is both ethereal and grounded, creating a sonic landscape that is as much about the spaces between the notes as it is about the notes themselves.
With a runtime of just over an hour, the album features nine tracks, including live recordings, that flow seamlessly into one another, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. Standout tracks like "Aurora," "Clairvoyance," and "Blue Period" highlight Hassell's ability to blend electronic textures with acoustic instrumentation, resulting in a sound that is both timeless and innovative.
"Last Night The Moon Came Dropping Its Clothes In The Street" is a testament to Jon Hassell's enduring influence on contemporary music. It is an album that invites listeners to explore the nuances of sound and the spaces in between, offering a rich and rewarding experience for those willing to dive in.