Oh, such beauty- Atlantic Road Trip’s new CD, provides near 45 minutes of bliss…
Atlantic Road Trip – Watch as the Echo Falls – Calligram Records #0028 – CD – 44:38 – *****
(Chad McCullough – trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizers; Paul Towndrow – alto sax, flute, whistles; Miro Herak – vibraphone)
Atlantic Road Trip’s newest CD, Watch as the Echo Falls, pared down to a trio setting, is an intoxicating mix of folk, jazz, Balkan motifs, with classical chamber music soundscapes, all blending together, providing a listener with a well needed blissful retreat during these troubled times.
The sound stage is much deeper than you would expect from a trio, as there is layering, with use of space and coloring. The acoustics are crystal clear and enveloping, as much of the recording was done at the Royal Conservatoire, in The Hague. I recommend using a high end pair of headphones to really appreciate the aural splendors here.
Chad McCullough’s trumpet, and Paul Towndrow’s alto sax and flute, are a contrapuntal blend that floats and soars. Miro Herak’s vibraphone adds resonance, allowing the trio’s blend to linger and sink in deeply. Throughout, there is also room for improvisation. The constant here, for me, is a search for contemplative meditative beauty.
The shorter tracks (“Exordium,” “Prologue,” and “Epilogue” ) are mood setters for the longer tracks, which range from three to seven minutes in length.
“Parting of the Adriatic” blends a Celtic jig with Balkan influences. There is a joyous abandon, leading into a subliminal dreamy landscape. “Silere” uses the trio’s blend in a chamber music setting that soars to an ethereal heaven. “Fading Photograph” has McCullough’s horn in counterpoint with Towndrow’s flute.
There is freedom to explore in Miro’s “Past Memories,” and Paul has a bluesy passionate sax solo. Near the end of the track, Chad’s synthesizer takes us into new heights. “Cadmus” is simply gorgeous, as the notes linger with brightness. “And Again” has more elevation of emotions, with contrapuntal horn blends, and once again Chad’s synthesizer adds a jolt.
“Echo Falls” is a folk melody with Miro’s ostinato pattern leading to an opportunity for Paul and Chad to play some jazz choruses. “Singularity” closes this “road trip” journey with more symbiotic trio sublime beauty.
This is a release to treasure, and one to return to often, as a respite from chaotic times…
—Review by Jeff Krow
Atlantic Road Trip – Watch as the Echo Falls
Tracklist:
Exordium, Parting of the Adriatic, Silere, Prologue, Spell Breaking, Fading Photograph, Past Memories, Cadmus, And Again, Echo Falls, Epilogue, Singularity
