Space Music 41

 

Alabaster DePlume - To Cy & Lee; Instrumentals Vol. 1 (IA11 Edition), album review

Simply Soothing

These are melodic, atmospheric instrumentals, some with the tentative and gentle saxophone caressing its singular mood, other contributions include a broad addition of sounds, from electronics, to simple percussion and some specific traditions, to flute and violin, and wordless vocal (it is a significant cast list which I will copy here from the Bandcamp page.

At times the tone is sonorous and soothing (as with Whisky Story Time) - it is always quite peaceful - and there is usually a signature warble dancing within the playing

I don't know De Plume as a performance poet, but will persue this. I also rely on what is provided through online details, and I was interested to read he was an activist working with a Manchester charity 'Ordinary Lifestyles'. He helped people there to become more comfortable with self-expression through creative activities, especially music. Two of those who benefitted were Cy and Lee who are namechecked for the album title.

Performed by Alabaster DePlume – vocal, tenor sax, guitar; Ríoghnach Connolly – voice, flute; Jess Connor – voice; Ellis Davies – electric guitar; John Ellis – pianette, clavinette, piano; Jessica Macdonald – cello; Hannah Miller – cello; Bi Roxby – voice; Paddy Steer – percussion, bass pedals; Leon Boydon – acoustic guitar; Daniel Inzani – piano; Beth Porter – cello; Lorenzo Prati – tenor sax; Dan Truen – drums; Will Calderbank – cello; Lorien Edwards – bass guitar; Philip Howley – drums, percussion; Mikey Kenney – violin; Pascal Makonese – m’bira; Kirsty McGee – bass flute; Tim Vincent Smith – violin; Rick Weedon – drums, percussion; Chestnutt – synth; Danalogue – piano, voice; James Howard – electric guitar; Sarathy Korwar – drums; Donna Thompson – voice. 

These instrumentals are collected from recordings across 2012-2019, and a few newer tunes, I think. For more information and to purchase, go here: https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/to-cy-lee-instrumentals-vol-1-ia11-edition

 

Eye Music 68

 

The Sha La Das - Your Picture, album review

Tight Harmony and Melodic Underscoring

This is a delightful father and three sons second album of doo wop, soul and psyche pop - all informed by the persistence of tight harmony and melodic underscoring. Always sounding familiar, it never sounds pastiche. The Stylistics are my touchstone's echo in the listening, sans the falsetto. Fuzz guitar in the catchy if brisk closer Gonna Catch You is a blast of summer breeze.

 

Eye Music 67

 

Kalia Vandever - We Fell in Turn, album review

Beautiful Improvisation

I've just come across the work of Kalia Vandever, enjoying a listen to her latest release Another View today.

Moving on to her 2023 release We Fell in Turn (check out Bandcamp link below this review), I have been warmed by the beautiful tonal layers of her trombone playing, this full of melody and reverberated by echo throughout most: there are subtle and complementary effects. There is also a 'classic' horn clarity at times, as in second track Imagine Being Told which is bold and clear, this too echoed through loops.

Vandever fills a musical space with calm and dreaming for the listener. Here and there you hear her breaths in the refreshing real life of this album. 

Link 

 

Lori Goldston - Open Space, album review (brief!)

 

Drone Out

Cello and distortion/feedback - far out! 

Listen here (and read Lori's description): here

 

Pickup Truck Music 16

 

Milena Casado - Reflection of Another Self, album review

Identity

The album title is not quite a misnomer - rather it is a plural reflection: this seems an assured jazz identity from a young trumpeter but it is informed by jazz influences from the past, some of it sampled and in the works on this album. It's a rich mix, with opener THIS IS MY HAIR (!) a playful discussion/performance about personal identity, and I hear Herb Albert in some of the early tones - yes I do - and it then gets much more punchy and the hip hop moves it to a present. Gentle solo playing is found on Introspection I - I, where elewhere on the album it becomes wonderfully wild. Lidia y los Libros is a beautiful light orchestral piece with Brandee Younger on harp and Nicole Mitchell on flute. Unconditional Love swoons in its Latin roots. A lovely album.

 

Weight of the Rapids by Willow Maddocks

A subtle and serene song with a glorious vocal:

 https://open.spotify.com/album/266yO9WVtj0K8fxxOtrmMc

 

Into the Distance Music 124

 

Not An Endorsement

Over-Searching for a Categorization

 

 

 

 

Into the Distance Music 123