Voices I
Signbearer, 2026
8/10
This debut from Amelia Ya’el’s baritone sax employs extended techniques, timbral exploration and long-form improvisation for the 4 adventurous tracks.
“Mechanic Of Anger” opens with the skilled sax radiating tremendous range that fluctuates in tone via the colorful and unpredictable delivery, and “Song Of Peace” follows with both soft and firm gestures that are mesmerizing.
“No Evil But Ignorance” starts the 2nd half, and is strong on ambience thanks to the quivering ideas, while “Beneath The Waves” exits with harmonics buried under the hypnotic delivery of meticulous sax playing.
An often intense effort that focuses on keys, breath and vibration, Ya’el has a commanding presence of her instrument that radiates tremendous skill for this superb first record.
Travels well with: Living With Tollways- Eponymously Titled; Randy Trubitt- Place Is Not