Near To Each
Carrier, 2022
9/10
The debut album as a composer and bandleader for Josh Modney, the violinist brings along Ingrid Laubrock (sax), Cory Smythe (piano) and Mariel Roberts (cello) for the meticulous affair that balances improvisation and notation with much awe.
“Violin Solo” opens the listen with a very adventurous manipulation of the strings that is quite firm, even jagged, in its brief execution, and “Whalefall” follows with a stirring ambience that’s very warm, a bit mysterious, and benefits from precisely bowed strings, well timed keys and bouts of sax.
In the middle, “Opening” blends screechy strings amid an undercurrent of subtle harmony, while “Ballad” spends 10+ minutes mesmerizing us with its reflective violin and moody keys that emits a cinematic quality.
Closer to the end, “Rift” welcomes an ominous angle that’s nearly sci-fi in its creative vision, and “Chorale” exits the listen with an abrasive manipulation that’s tonally fascinating.
A striking body of work that focuses on sound production, timbral gestures and strong attention to intonation, Modney and company make for a fascinating exploration of experimental, classical, abstract song craft.
Travels well with: Erik Satie- Fragments; Itamar Zorman- Violin Odyssey