12 Views On Life
Neuma, 2024
8/10
The pianist Eunmi Ko is aligned with the Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP) for this double album of reflection rooted in the tough years of 2020-2021.
“I am going mad(libs)” opens the Ko’s unpredictable key alongside Anthony R. Green’s whimsical text playfulness, and it isn’t long until “saturation temp!” welcomes keys, recorder and keyboard from Ko for the mesmerizing and cinematic bouts.
Deeper into disc 1, “Untitled VI” welcomes baritone sax from Katherine Weintraub and percussion thanks to Kevin von Kampen that illuminates the mysterious, even ominous climate, while disc 2 leads with the rumbling keys of “Ursus maritimus”, where Ko’s register cultivates much wonder via the strong attention to mood.
Further still, “and my body’s cells keep ticking “ benefits much from Jamie Jordan’s bright voice amid Weintraub’s strategic sax and Ko’s firm keys, and “at the end of” exits with the sax and Robert McCormick’s percussion highlighting the strategic minimalism.
A highly attentive affair that makes great use bareness and power, each selection offers a take on the human condition, and they all make for a thoughtful balance of classical, contemporary and experimental gestures.
Travels well with: The Noonan Trio- Inherit A Memory; Todd Gaffke- Locally Sourced