Garden Of The Gods
Albany, 2023
8/10
The veteran musician Justin Hellman has played many types of music, but this is his first classical album, and he brings along the Friction Quartet for the 8 well thought out pieces.
The listen opens with the heartfelt strings and calm demeanor of the stirring “Muse”, and “Appreciate Beauty” follows with the emotive string interaction that’s poetic and absorbing.
Further along, the animated gestures of “Obiam Te” are as adventurous as they are melodic, where the lively energy is infectious, while “Cheyenne Mountain” leads the second half with dynamic, meticulous progressions that are both captivating and memorable.
The last 2 songs are among the best, where the title track finds a dreamy place to reside amid the bright playing, and “Farewell” exits with tremendous beauty and gentle song craft.
A listen that showcases Hellman’s love for his wife and is never short on harmony, the Friction Quartet, i.e. the violinists Otis Harriel and Kevin Rogers, violist Mitso Floor, and cellist Doug Machiz really make for an alluring experience.
Travels well with: Joseph Summer- Sea Change String Quartets; Timothy Schwarz- The Living American