The Sonic Alchemists 1: Dream River
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
Listen to The Sonic Alchemists 1: Dream River
The Brooklyn guitarist Eshaan Sood pens an album of hope, love and warmth, where Annie Orzen, Ivan Demanjian, Brendan Nie and Sam Schaeffer are in attendance.
“Mountain Muse” starts the listen with Schaeffer’s frisky drums and Nie’s playful bass that emit wonder and melodic ideas amid Sood’s dreamy guitar, and “Glass Blown Acquaintances” follows with Orzen’s fluid keys complementing Demarjian’s rich sax prowess.
“If Our Hearts Could Talk” lands in the middle and uses intimacy and grace via the radiant guitar and soft dynamics, while “Plea For Forgiveness” alternates between loud bursts and gentle ebbs of atypical jazz sensibilities.
Getting close to the end, “Hexes & Spells” carries a distinct rhythm alongside the stylish playing, and “Sailing Through Dream River” exits with Sood’s intricate guitar that’s illuminated by the unpredictable rhythm section and charming sax.
An effort that takes from Sood’s love of movie soundtracks, the blues, Bollywood and Indian Classical sounds, every moment here is creative, worldly and full of unique storytelling.
Travels well with: Jim Witzel Quartet- Very Early: Remembering Bill Evans; Mark Winkler- Hold On