Orison
Innova, 2021
8/10
The esteemed composer and producer Chris Campbell takes on a mammoth project here, where members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, drummer Dave King (The Bad Plus) and violinist Todd Reynolds, among many others, flesh out what Campbell calls a ‘sound prayer and meditation in 7 parts’.
“Parallels, Threading Light” starts the listen with soft, emotive strings as the setting turns darker with firm keys and a precise tension, and “Rotating Light Mirrors The Water” follows with great use of restrained drumming amid a mysterious ambience that bursts in a busy display of pulsating, cinematic qualities.
In the middle, “Streams To Source, Object To Origin” relies on warm piano alongside quivering strings that embraces both minimal and maximal ideas into its adventurous spirit, while “Ten Thousand Streams (Retrograde)” flows with proficient drumming and sonic manipulation that showcases Campbell’s inimitable vision.
Close to the end, “Rotating Hymns” is an ominous album standout and yet with much beauty in its meticulous nature, and “Ground Calls Out To The Sky” exits the listen with nods to classical music amid ebbs of calm gesturing and even dreamy moments of sublime layering.
Campbell is well versed in post-minimalism, avant-garde rock, jazz and global fusion, and traces of orchestral, chamber and classical are also present on this highly creative harmonic, twisted and even inspiring listen.
Travels well with: Matthew Schreibeis- Sandburg Songs; Dave Walther- Distance