A Different Take
Big Round, 2020
8/10
Robert Gruca’s classical guitar and Linda White’s concert, alto and bass flutes populate these 13 cultured tracks that make up a very distinct debut album.
The bright presence of Stephen Gross’ “From Honey To Ashes” starts the listen with White’s lively flute and the melodic guitar drawing us in, and Carl Dimow’s “Dreams Of Yesterday And Tomorrow” follows with an intimate moment that uses the lower register of the flute in emotive ways before the fluid guitar enters.
Into the middle, “Use Me”, by Bill Withers, is an upbeat moment that flows with playfulness, while Alan Thomas’ “The Shepherd’s Dream” is a calming moment of sublime beauty where the duo’s precise interactions and warmth won’t go unnoticed.
Arriving near the end, Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” is a frisky album highlight that reimagines the tune with much intrigue, and “Black Magic Woman”, by Peter Green, employs rich guitar progressions with well timed flute prowess.
The pair mesh classical, world and rock ideas across the varied moments touch on grooves, traditional Japanese, African and Balkan music with much dynamicism.
Travels well with: Jordan VanHemert Quintet- I Am Not A Virus; Elaine Freeman- La Speranza