Rituals
OA2, 2022
8/10
A skilled improviser who know his way around a set of keys, Kyle Aho brings along his Missouri based band of Randy Hamm (sax, flute), Jeremy Allen (bass), Marty Morrison (drums), Chris Mathisen (cello) and Mark Brueggemann (trumpet), as well as Christin Bohrisch’s stunning voice for these atypical jazz compositions.
“Awaken (Overture)” opens the listen with a brief display of meticulous keys, which lays the foundation for the cautious bass and gorgeous vocals of “Like A Stream”, as well as the elegant cello and strong attention to mood of “No Words”.
Halfway through, the soaring vocal scatting of “Belonging” pairs well with the dreamy keys, while “A Night In The Woods” offers a very swift and exciting delivery of adventurous drumming, bouncy bass lines, bouts of piano and absorbing wordless singing.
Near to the end, the pretty singing of “Fragments” makes for an intimate and chilling minute, and “Theoria” continues the mature song craft with fluid brass and strategic bass to complement the twinkling keys and lovely vocals.
A very well executed affair that pays much attention to tone and balance, the lyrical themes surround poetry and text that touch on communion and spirituality, and it sure does make for a superb experimental jazz outing.
Travels well with: Meridian Odyssey- Earthshine; Dmitri Matheny- Cascadia