Pale Blue
Neuma, 2023
9/10
Armed with a trumpet, electronics and a highly creative mind, Glen Whitehead meshes exploration, improvised ideas and environmental consideration into these 7 unclassifiable tracks.
The title track opens the listen with hazy brass and a very spacey, sci-fi backdrop that wanders with much mystery, and “Dawn of the Din” follows with what sounds like wind amid what could be field recordings of animal gestures or even haunting soundbites, as the soulful trumpet lingers in the background.
In the middle, “Dreaming At A Distance” pairs the sounds of waves with the expressive trumpet for an oddly soothing display, while “Pila del Ángel” welcomes Dr. Colin McAllister’s electric and classical guitar to the droning template that uses the plucked guitar and unique pitch of the trumpet in very unorthodox ways.
The final track, “4 Wai”, is a bit brighter, dreamy even, as it swirls with an eerie ambience and jazz leanings thanks to Whitehead’s distinct vision with his instrument.
An experience that is full of electroacoustic bouts, unpredictable soundscapes and atypical trumpet playing, Whiteheard brings his experience from his time with the EcoSono Ensemble, The New Zealand Māori ensemble Wai, Psychoangelo, the Bottesini Ensemble and Nexus Brass for this remarkably iconoclastic listen.
Travels well with: Phillip Bush- Concord; Gilbert Galindo- Terrestrial Journeys