Ghost Light
New Focus, 2021
9/10
The Detroit ensemble Akropolis Reed Quartet, i.e. Tim Gocklin, Kari Landry, Matt Landry, Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Koeppe, return with their 4th album, where new works from 5 composers surround themes of darkness, light, life and death.
Stacy Garrop’s “Rites For The Afterlife” starts with 4 chapters of chamber exploration that examines both light and dark qualities that weave clarinets, bassoon, oboe and saxophone with much intrigue, and “Kinds Of Light” follows with quivering reed manipulation as calmer moments of reflection meet playful bouts of beauty.
The back half of the listen offers Niloufar Nourbakhsh’s “Firing Squat”, which juggles both jumpy, vibrant moments with low ebbs of cinematic texturing, while “Seed To Snag” displays fascinating clarinet acrobatics that align with spirited sax work in the Theo Chandler composition.
The final track is the only one with vocals, where poetry from Marsha Music adds much to the largely atmospheric and bare climate, as “Homage To Paradise Valley”, which is Jeff Scott’s vision, is illuminated with much depth both musically and linguistically.
The Akropolis Reed Quintet have been together for over a decade now, and the esteemed players balance powerful, adventurous and haunting moments on this career highlight that cultivates chamber sounds like few others would dare to attempt.
Travels well with: Curtis K. Hughes- Tulpa; Eric Lyon- Giga Concerto