Crescent
Neuma, 2024
10/10
The debut album from the musician and composer Kamala Sankaram, the 8 pieces here focus on the impact of human technologies and use plenty of field recordings alongside strings and percussive ideas.
“Crescent” occupies the first 8 chapters of the listen, where Sankaram’s flowing voice is met with Brian Shankar Adler’s strategic use of found objects, light percussion and inviting tabla add much appeal. Drew Fleming provides spoken word across 3 of the movements, which aligns with buzzing electronics that provides a distinct contrast between the synthetic and organic landscape that embraces the sounds of birds and water, too.
The final track is the 10+ minutes of “Rasas”, where Andie Tanning and Ludovica Burtone’s violins emit much grace amid Joanna Mattrey’s moody viola and Mariel Roberts’ aching cello. Sankaram does offer vocals and electronics as well, and it cultivates a hint of mystery- even ominousness- to the creative finish.
An atypical outing that embraces improvisation and composed settings, the presence of junk metal, plastics and orchestral strings only further solidifies Crescent as an avant-garde and post-classical masterpiece.
Travels well with: Philip Blackburn- ORDO; Linda Dusman- Flashpoint