The album opens with “The Roaring Sea,” which eases in. You can feel the waves crashing upon the rocks below, but the dramatic aspect of that action is subdued somewhat by perspective, by distance, and there is in fact a soothing feel to this music, an introspective element, as the sea can lead one inward even in its most powerful moments. Dave Carter adds to that sensation with his trumpet work. It also feels like there is a spiritual element to this piece, to the approach. Just before the track ends, it feels like it is turning a corner, leading us somewhere else, but perhaps it is up to us where that will be, after all. Then “Juan’s Strait Swing” begins with a good groove, taking us out of our own heads, and placing us on firmer ground, ready to reach out to others, to dance. There is something catchy about this piece, no question, and the trumpet work is seriously cool. The percussion opens doors, invites us through shimmering beaded curtains to a delicious realm where everyone is a bit cooler than usual. And aren’t we all happy to have access to this place?
I love the way the percussion is prominent right from the start of “Please Come Back, She Said To The Sun,” many feet moving in unison, dancing, creating a glorious pulse. The trumpet then ushers us to a higher realm, pushing us right through whatever barriers we’d constructed. That’s a wonderful and exciting and empowering moment. Things relax just a bit after that, the music like a breath, and another, until it begins to build in intensity again, and suddenly things open up into a wider and wilder terrain, bright lights dancing upon the air around us. A voice soon finds us, offering comfort, while that great rhythm continues. That’s followed by “The Elegance Of Wind,” which features another great groove, this one with a bit of a pop thing happening. The trumpet works as a voice, expressing an excited sort of joy, and wanting to share with us what it has discovered. We are on solid ground here, but looking up, reaching out.
Well, it’s football season, and when I saw the title of the fifth track, “Eagle Vs. Raven,” I couldn’t help but think, Philadelphia vs. Baltimore. Anyway, the drumming has this beautiful weight to it at the beginning, and there is a mysterious element, advising caution. It is not long before we are caught up in the dramatic movement of the track, in the excitement, while the drumming remains a constant line through it. I love the rhythm on this track. That is followed by “Waves Of Color.” When this one kicks in, there is a sort of mesmerizing feel to its rhythm. It washes over us and carries us with it, both inward and outward. At moments, we feel we might be breaking down into our various components, but we aren’t worried, for all those pieces will ride those same waves and are accessible should we need them at some point further along the journey.
“A Siren Calls” has a darker vibe at the start, seeming to come from a deep past, but is alluring. We reach out to it, rather than it coming to us. Before long, it touches something within us, and then suddenly it’s over, this track being less than two minutes. It’s followed by “Yellow Striped Spirit Snake.” This one moves around us, confident in its motions, fluid and somewhat frightening. It too comes from a point in the past, and has been involved in these motions for ages, and we are but in our youth in this realm. This one, like the previous track, is over quite soon, it too being less than two minutes long. Then there is excitement to “A Year On The Cliff,” and a glorious sense of possibilities as it begins, a world opening up before our eyes and ears. After a minute or so, it surprises us by settling into a delightful groove, swinging and popping. It is undeniably cool. The repeated theme seems to take on more force as the track approaches its conclusion. Then, just before it begins to fade out, it returns to that good groove.
As “Fierce Hawk” begins, there is a strong sense of being out in a natural world where people are secondary. The rhythm of the world itself, and of the other creatures on it, is key. But we are able to experience some of it through music. I especially love that moment when things get wild, thanks in large part to Dave Carter’s work on trumpet. Nature thrives and endures and moves and grows and pulses. Then “Pineapple Express” takes us on an interesting journey. I have said this before, but I love music that is able to transport me in some way, and the music on this album does that. I also love that each person’s journey will be somewhat different. This piece establishes a strong rhythm, and builds and breathes, and features good use of steel drum. That’s followed by “Dance Of The Seven Sisters.” I dig that bass work at the beginning of this track, and that great bass line remains at the track’s core while we explore other areas. It keeps us grounded, in a sense. There is a lot of delicious percussion work that will keep our bodies moving, even as there is a somber tone hovering above us.
“The Beauty In Darkness” invites us to an interesting dance as it starts, then soon adds a sense of mystery. Without that great groove, the music could be part of the soundtrack to a horror film at moments. There are other moments when something lighter occurs, changing our sense of where this piece is taking us. But the track does not strip itself of that mysterious element. “Rainshadow” takes us into darker areas too. There is a dramatic feel to this track, and I like that we are unsure where it might take us. The album concludes with “To The Sea We Return.” There is a somewhat somber and eerie feel to this one at the beginning. If we are returning to the sea, it feels like we are doing it alone, and in twilight, taking tentative steps, though perhaps without any real fear, but rather a sense of inevitability.
CD Track List
- The Roaring Sea
- Juan’s Strait Swing
- Please Come Back, She Said To The Sun
- The Elegance Of Wind
- Eagle Vs. Raven
- Waves Of Color
- A Siren Calls
- Yellow Striped Spirit Snake
- A Year On The Cliff
- Fierce Hawk
- Pineapple Express
- Dance Of The Seven Sisters
- The Beauty In Darkness
- Rainshadow
- To The Sea We Return
Stillpoint was released on October 8, 2021 on Sunyata Records.
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