Escape Rites
Sono Luminus, 2025
9/10
The violinist, educator and composer Austin Wulliman is a member of the esteemed JACK Quartet, and here he presents 7 avant-garde and classically influenced tunes that defy convention.
The quivering strings of “Late Edition” begins the listen with Wulliman and Christopher Otto’s rich violins alongside John Pickford Richards’ well timed viola, and “Lost One” follows with 10 minutes of mysterious gestures that benefit from Jay Campbell’s atmospheric cello amid the mesmerizing violins and viola.
“Escape Rites” arrives in the middle and emits a rare intimacy via the cinematic bouts and ambient interactions, while “Live News” unfolds across 3 segments that can be tense, droning and abstract in its unique demeanor.
“Totem Ancestor” exits, and it’s an animated finish that’s melodic, rhythmic and presents firm strings thanks to the quartet’s inimitable chemistry.
This is Wulliman’s 2nd album of original songs, and it’s a sonically engaging, polyrhythmic friendly and complicated mix of timbral manipulations that puts an atypical spin on classical nods.
Travels well with: Rachel Yonan- Kiss On Wood; Peter Scott Lewis- Pacific Triptych