Small Bridges
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
The drummer, synth player, composer and producer Robert Diack returns with a sophomore album that’s very rich, textured and genre defiant while being steeped in traditional jazz yet very welcoming to other ideas, too.
“Hollow” opens the listen with much warmth, as a swirling melody unfolds with much attention to detail amid the skittering keys and agile drumming, and “Plex” follows with a more dense display of thick ambience alongside the crisp drums and busy post-rock dynamics that border on frenzied.
Further on, “Indigent” moves with a calm intimacy that benefits from stirring guitar, while “Aler” is bit more firm with a charming rhythm that showcases the glowing piano.
Nearing the end, “Loam” recruits a nearly classical feeling as the intricate key acrobatics radiate a very cozy demeanor, and “Loesother” exits with a dreamy, psychedelic prowess in its exploratory gestures.
A very unique affair that brings surprises with each track, Diack and company, i.e. Brandon Davis (bass), Patrick O’Reilly (guitar), and Jacob Thompson (piano), illustrate much imagination and control across this very fascinating listen.
Travels well with: Kate Wyatt- Artifact; Doxas Brothers- The Circle