#21. 5 November 2019

​Dearest all,

I hope the sudden change of the clocks and the gradual changing of the seasons are treating everyone with relative kindness. 

Personally, I tend to struggle with the weather and the lack of sunlight. But music helps. A lot. Especially this music. 

Ruth Garbus :: Kleinmeister
www.ruthgarbus.bandcamp.com/album/Kleinmeister

I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been waiting for this album for years. Ruth opened for Battle Trance on a short string of dates in the northeast maybe 2.5 years ago..? Her songs, her voice, her enigmatic approach to harmony, and her granular attention to the timbral subtleties of her voice and her instrument moved me to tears more than once. I’m ecstatic that I can finally hear those songs again. 


Nicole Mitchell :: Maroon Cloud
https://fperecs.bandcamp.com/album/maroon-cloud
Nicole Mitchell is the new head of the jazz program at Pitt. And it seems like none of the musicians in Pittsburgh have checked her out. Fix that. Right now. This album (her newest as far as I can tell) is dark as hell but somehow still glitters. Nicole’s compositional sense is brilliant here. She writes for a small ensemble of virtuosos playing piano, cello, voice, and herself on flutes. The music sounds incredibly specific to me, with lots of worlds in which her band can improvise to great effect. I’m genuinely moved by this very special recording. 

Nick Dunston :: Atlantic Extraction
http://outofyourheadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/atlantic-extraction
Nick wrote and recorded one hell of a record. It happens to be his debut. But it sure doesn’t sound like it. The ensemble of double bass, guitar, flutes, violin/viola, and drums gives Nick a ton to work with. He pulls some really special sounds out of the group and each player individually brings a palpable urgency to the music. Really special music on Adam Hopkins’s new label Out of Your Head Records. 

Caroline Davis and Rob Clearfield’s Persona :: Anthems
http://carolinedavismusic.bandcamp.com/album/anthems
Geez this recording is awesome. Caroline’s sound on the alto is deeply layered. Velvety and plush even when applied with force (a description which, upon reflection, also applies to the compositions on this recording). The band executes a patient vitality that I feel like I can chew. Like in a cheesecake-y way where some of it gets stuck to the roof of your mouth. 

Laila and Smitty :: III
http://kennywarren.bandcamp.com/album/laila-and-smitty-iii
Kenny is one of those dudes whose life and whose trumpet playing seem to be the same. Apparently effortless, light and funny, and deeply thoughtful. He also makes me wonder “how the hell do you sing so nice without opening your mouth all the way?” I love this band’s first two recordings dearly and this newest installment just doubles down. So so so worth many listens.