The Layers
Acis, 2023
8/10
The musicians Sophie Shao, John Blacklow, Marnie Breckenridge, Michael Brofman, Dave Eggar and Thomas Bagwell come together for this chamber listen that illuminates the Grammy Winner Herschel Garfein’s inimitable vision.
The title track starts the listen with Shao’s graceful cello and Blacklow’s mature piano unfolding across 3 movements of stirring, reflective song craft that’s inspired by Stanley Kunitz’s poem of the same name.
The middle belongs to Breckenridge’s soaring soprano and Brofman’s absorbing keys, where texts by Jane Kenyon are fueled by the powerful pipes and melodic piano progressions of “The Luminous Particular”, and “Three Rides” exits with Eggar’s lively cello and Bagwell’s dancing keys complementing the expressive and bright vocals from Breckenridge.
A recording that possesses much beauty, Garfein’s work is fleshed out with much emotion and care, and it sure does make for a gripping presence.
Travels well with: Alessandro Scarlatti- La Sposa Dei Cantici; Michele Kennedy- Agave: In Her Hands