Room To Breathe
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
An educator, performer and bassoonist, Joseph Swift makes quite an impression with this debut that welcomes Calvin Hu’s skilled piano for the 5 eloquent and expressive pieces.
“Dueling Realities” gets the listen off to an energetic start, where the wind and keys interact with a lively, nearly cinematic quality that’s firm, unpredictable and memorable, and “Mother Time, Father Nature” follows with the soothing bassoon amid the dense piano playing that recruits both tension and melody.
The middle track belongs to the stirring intimacy of “i.C.u”, where the graceful wind flows with much attention to mood, while “Indigo Bunting” emits dreamy keys and absorbing bassoon playing that builds into swirling mystery. The final track, “Swift”, uses lower registers on piano and indeed swift progressions, as the bassoon anchors the exit with a meticulous nature.
An excellent debut, the chemistry between Swift and Hu is quite fascinating, and their delivery admirable. Let’s hope this isn’t the only collaboration between the pair.
Travels well with: Daniil Trifonov- BACH: The Art Of Life; Peter Gregson- Patina