Missing Scenes
Carrier, 2023
8/10
A highly unique oufit who bridge classical and electronic ideas into a blur of precise noise, the 3 pieces here are penned by the core members of Wet Ink Large Ensemble, i.e. Alex Mincek, Sam Pluta, and Kate Soper, and there’s plenty of other players present, too.
Pluta’s “Actuate/Resonate” gets the listen off to a glitchy, ominous start, where a calm mysteriousness is present alongside plenty of strategic bursts thanks to Jacqui Kerrod’s harp and Julia den Boer’s piano that complements Pluta’s electronics.
“point, point, point, point” follows, and spends 20+ minutes mesmerizing us with its cinematic qualities that use Emmalie Tello’s bass clarinet, Nanci Belmont’s bassoon and Michael Clayville’s trombone in exciting and unpredictable ways that are both busy and bare in Mincek’s vision.
The title track exits the listen, where Soper’s bright spoken word and soaring singing guides Erin Lesser’s flute, Rane Moore’s clarinet and Mariel Roberts’ cello across the 3 chapters that can be tense, melodic and sometimes dense in texture.
Certainly one of the most atypical ensembles in New York City, this is Wet Ink Large Ensemble’s 3rd album, where influence from text by Henry James and several Greek playwrights is met with abstract and operatic ideas that hold much intrigue.
Travels well with: Josh Modney- Near To Each; Loadbang- Quiver