Terrestrial Journeys
Neuman, 2023
9/10
Listen to Terrestrial Journeys
This first album from Gilbert Galindo culls 8 pieces penned over a dozen years, and it’s full of chamber sounds that are all over the spectrum, from punk to classical, and they don’t shy away from his Tex-Mex roots, either.
“Spunk” starts the listen with Jeff Hudgins’ bright and flowing alto sax alongsider Daniel Lippel’s precise electric guitar and Gregory Chudzik’s strategic contrabass in the very dynamic opener, and “Echoes Of The Divine” follows with a low rumbling that welcomes Gianario Latta, Maren Rothfritz and Clare Monfredo on strings amid Kathleen Supove’s moody piano.
At the midpoint, “Lost In The Caves” showcases Thomas Piercy’s stunning bass clarinet for the mesmerizing solo piece, while “Imagined Passions” places Clara Kim’s stirring violin and Monfredo’s well timed cello against Supove’s haunting keys for the cinematic album highlight.
Near to the end, Supové takes the solo piano composition “My Soul Waits”, and makes quite an impression in the minimal 7+ minutes that uses space and tension well, and “Not The Light, But The Fire That Burns” exits with 3 chapters of adventurous percussion from Chris Graham and Sean Statser, and Supové’s finger acrobatics on keys are quite gripping as well.
Galindo is an artist with many talents, including being an engraver, producer, D.J., and now composer and philosopher, too, and he very smartly carves out a unique place to reside in the area of chamber music with this exceptional debut.
Travels well with: Galan Trio- Kinesis; Juraj Kojs- Orchid Music