Secret Messages
New Focus, 2023
9/10
The trumpet wizard Jon Nelson and percussion extraordinaire Tom Kolor come together for this assembly of work by Moshe Shulman, Dave Ballou, Jeffrey Stadelman, Dafnis Prieto and Emil Harnas 2.
Shulman’s “Secret Messages II” opens the listen with the soaring horn amid the lively percussion, as found sounds and a three dimensional approach is appreciated, and Ballou’s “Samskara” follows with the lone trumpet making for a pitch diverse climate.
Deeper into the listen, “Koral 17”, “Koral 18” and “Koral 1” are short pieces that showcase solo muted trumpet, a duo that reminds us of street musicians, and electronics mixed with percussion for the unpredictable textures of the Stadelman piece, while “Trail Of Memories”, by Prieto, pairs dreamy percussive moments with meticulous and eloquent brass prowess.
The final track, Harnas’ “Ice Fishing In Kanona”, is an electroacoustic highlight that uses delays, glitches, electric organ and sonically engaging trumpet for very unique grooves that unfold with a cinematic quality.
A very diverse and unpredictable listen that’s open to much interpretation, Nelson and Kolor are well versed in contemporary classical ideas, and they sure do make great use of electronica, too, for this creative venture.
Travels well with: Eugene O’Brien- Algebra Of Night; Ashley Bathgate- 8-Track