Polytempo Music
Other Minds, 2024
8/10
The inimitable composer Brian Baumbusch is joined by the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players for 12 distinct versions of chamber sounds that embrace virtual reality ideas.
“Opening” begins the listen with the strings and winds interacting with animated and flowing gestures, and “Clockwise” follows with a rare melody via the mesmerizing and cinematic swells.
Moving into the middle, “Hex Tree” places the gentle keys amid the bright textures that swirl with wonder and awe, while “Adzan” finds itself in lower registers thanks to the meticulous oboe that draws us in immediately.
Close to the end, “Heliks 45”, the best track, is richly layered with glowing winds and quick strings, and “Hourglass” exits with a charming, rhythmic presence of beauty.
A truly unique effort that embodies Indonesian gamelan sounds, the bouts of minimalism and colorful bursts are full of rhythmic and harmonic gestures that you can’t not admire.
Travels well with: Guy Barash- Killdeer; Counter)induction- Against Method