The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
Neuma, 2024
8/10
Listen to The Air-Conditioned Nightmare
The pianist and composer Denman Maroney is joined by Emilie Lesbros, Robin Fincker, Scott Walton and Samuel Silvant for these 2 discs of songs that were fleshed out 2 years apart, and it makes for an experimental and contemporary version of classical sounds.
The swift keys of the title track starts the listen with Lesbros’ expressive voice complementing the rich climate, and “A Game Of Chess” follows with Silvant’s agile drums and Fincker’s soulful sax making for a distinct version of jazz.
Further into the first half, “Roads” uses wordless vocals and frisky keys in atypical ways, while “On A Boat” exits Disc 1 with Walton’s strategic bass that suits the animated drumming and charming vocals
Disc 2, Covid Variations, leads with “Din”, where Maroney’s mesmerizing keys are met with hazy brass, and it isn’t long until “Durfortosis” layers the crisp drums, flowing sax and meticulous keys for the rich and unpredictable album highlight. Arriving at the end, “For Every Tatter” is an upbeat and exploratory version of improvised jazz acrobatics that puts a firm exclamation point on the affair.
Maroney has over 5 decades of experience of making music under his belt, and his artistic approach is certainly appreciated across these involved tracks that embrace his hyperpiano technique.
Travels well with: Bandwidth- Where Songs Go At Night; Glass Farm Ensemble- Nieuw Amsterdam New York