Synchronies
Ravello, 2021
9/10
The esteemed composer James Dashow returns with his second double album on the Ravello label, where the Helix! New Music Ensemble accompanies him on the intimate, diverse and uniquely textured compositions.
“First Tangent To The Give Curve” starts the listen with Daniele Rol’s precise piano and atmospheric computer interacting with much mystery and unpredictability, where low ebbs are met with meticulous tinkering, and “A Sheaf Of Times, Septet” follows with flutes, violin, cello, clarinet, percussion and Fran Snyder’s intricate harp all working together for the very charming and atypical chamber display.
In the middle, “Messages From Ortigia” mixes flutes, bass clarinet, David Bursack’s viola and Lucia Bova’s harp for an unclassifiable delivery where the electronics give it a cinematic feel, while “Mnemonics” is just Mario Buffa’s precise violin alongside quadraphonic electronic sounds that give it a haunting demeanor.
The flute heavy “Oro, Argento & Legno” provides a dreamy versus sci-fi feel that makes this the album standout, and “Archimedes, suite from the planetarium opera” exits the listen on one of the most adventurous tracks, where hexaphonic electronic and pre-recorded acoustic sounds weave in and out with an other worldly approach
Though this might be a small ensemble effort, Dashow and company make some very distinct sounds in the area of chamber, orchestral, classical and electronic music, as the manipulation of sound and space is certainly appreciated and nothing short of exceptional.
Travels well with: Bruce Crossman- Heaven To Earth Border House; Nicki Roman- Unquiet Waters