Composers in the driver’s seat…
If percussion is your thing, you’re in for a treat with this album of kinetic compositions by Baljinder Sekhon. He mixes sounds from the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet (Matt Cook, Justin DeHart, Cory Hills, Nick Terry) along with steel pan soloist dave Gerhart and guest David Johnson for a highly melodic “Passageways.” Other pieces include the McCormick Percussion group teaming with classical guitres Dieter Hennings for a pastoral and impressionistic “Musica Casera.” Pianist Eunmi Ko replaces Hennings and does some Debussy-like musings on five part “Death Is An Adviser” while the MPG teams glassy chimes on “Refuge.” A tranquil “Sun” includes rich themes and solos by the trio of Adam Bedell, Cullen Faulk and Matthew Teodori. This is very ambitious, clever and accessible.
Composer David Kechley mixes genres and ideas on this far ranging 2 disc set with the Philharmina Sudeka. The brassy “ Karasuma” is a “Fast Funk for Orchestra” which includes exciting Latin percussion and thick pulses swayed by lovely strings. A four part “Wakeful Visions/Moonless Dreams” includes a bright and staccato’d “Whirlswind” some lovely and floating flutes on “Notari Notari,” dark and nourish harmonies on “Something Wicked” and Copland-esque panoramas on “Moments.” Lots of ideas bounce around with audible images shouting for attention.