Proper Nostalgia
Aerocade, 2026
9/10
The San Francisco outfit Friction Quartet bring us 4 selections from 4 composers via their unique and memorable classical and chamber abilities.
“DIRTWORK” opens with strong attention to ambience, as the 4 players emit much meticulousness and warmth via the 4 segments that can get playful, especially with Doug Machiz’s animated cello.
The title track follows, and it’s full of sublime intimacy via Otis Harriel and Kevin Rogers’ emotive violins, where atypical rhythm and upbeat plucking are also present, while “unveiling” offers an animated and cinematic landscape thanks to the melodic versus heartfelt instrumentation.
“Inner Orbits” exits, and in 2 chapters it swirls with wonder and awe, where Mitso Floor’s well timed viola is particularly radiant.
The composers present are Michi Wiancko, Andrew M Rodriguez, Alex Dowling, and Isaac Io Schankler, and the quartet serve their visions well with detailed and vivid playing. The impetus for this album goes back to 2021, and you can tell a lot of work went into the process, which yields a thought provoking and relevant body of work.
Travels well with: Beth Levin- Blackbird & Ancestors; Daniel Gall- Exit Paradise