We’re All Improvisers Now
Whirlwind, 2022
9/10
Listen to We’re All Improvisers Now
The debut solo album from the multi-instrumentalist Tommy Crane, the 9 songs here traverse ambient jazz, electronic swells and unfold with no lack of spiritual flourishes across the very distinct landscape.
“Before We Sail Away” opens the listen with a very adventurous electro-acoustic climate that swirls with a nearly sci-fi quality but still retains plenty of organic beauty, and “Curated Reality” follows with a warm sonic energy that embraces playful synth and agile guitar riffs.
Halfway through, “Keys To The Darkroom” floats with a darker appeal that benefits from Charlotte Greve’s well timed sax, while “Once I Was A Cohen” makes great use of crisp drumming and bright layers that tip their hat to Brian Eno.
The title track arrives near the end and finds a charming groove thanks to Jordan Brooks’ skilled bass and Crane’s precise programming, and “Nordique Americana (Pt. 2- Joie de Vivres)” exits the listen with a hazy, surreal foundation that emits a rare twinkling and places Chris Speed on clarinet and Pietro Amato on French horn.
Crane pulls off quite an ambitious outing, where lucid environments, artistic gestures and fascinating electronic and analogue production make every moment worth revisiting again and again.
Travels well with: Aaron Seeber- First Move; Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead- Poetic