From The Rooftop
Neuma, 2024
8/10
The international artist Cobus du Toit brings his flute playing to these 7 distinct chamber and classically influenced pieces.
Amanda Harberg’s “Court Dances” starts the listen with Toit’s dancing flute alongside Harberg’s piano acrobatics for an animated opener, and Paul Hanmer’s “Sarabande For The Days” follows with the keys rumbling amid dreamy flute thanks to the intimate mood.
The middle selections, “Treuerwatersrand” and “A Room Of Quiet”, are equally intriguing. The former, also by Hanmer, offers a rich landscape, while the latter, by Nathan Hall, recruits spoken word and Doreen Lee’s calm, poetic keys.
Close to the end, Joseph Adams’ “Misinterpreted Cries” is a heartfelt and emotive piece that addresses violence against animals, and “From The Rooftopo”, by Felipe Salles, exits with adventurous flute and atmospheric piano for a pitch focused finish.
A body of work that surrounds healing in a time of pandemics, wars and racially charged strife, each track here is eloquent, unpredictable and full of beauty.
Travels well with: Richard Carr- August Light; Percussia- Plucked & Struck