New music: Allison Russell, Angelica Sanchez and Trio Ernest

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This article was published 12/01/2024 (994 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AMERICANA

Allison Russell
The Returner (Fantasy)

Allison Russell has had a marvellous couple of years. After releasing Outside Child, her first album as a solo artist, in 2021, the multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter from Montreal experienced a deluge of enthusiasm, awards and nominations for the heart-wrenching storytelling of her songs and the musicality and authenticity of her performances.

Thankfully, Russell is using her newfound opportunities to applaud and shine a light on the work of both her forebears and her contemporaries. She organized a multi-artist jam at the Newport Folk Festival called Once and Future Sounds, featuring Chaka Khan at its heart, and helped create the Love Rising concert in Nashville (her new home) to protest anti-drag and anti-trans legislation in Tennessee.

Russell’s newest music is equally as sincere. Released in September, The Returner was recently nominated for four Grammys and one listen is enough to understand why. After the soul-baring of her first record, this 10-song collection turns toward the “springtime of my present tense,” as she sings on the album’s opening song, and the entire project simply exudes love, hope and joy.

The Returner was co-written and produced by Russell’s husband, Jeremy Lindsay (a.k.a. JT Nero) and his brother Drew (the duo are credited as Dim Star), and it not only broadens her worldview, it also embraces elements of gospel, blues, folk, pop, soul, ’70s R&B and disco.

Recorded by Russell, Dim Star and her ever-evolving backing group, the Rainbow Coalition, the record hits an early peak with the choral gospel blues of its title track and just keeps rising in a groovy spiral as Russell evokes the vibes of Janelle Monae on All Without Within, declares that Eve Was Black in a country/folk/cajun mash-up and channels her inner Gloria Gaynor on Stay Right Here before bringing it all back home with Requiem, its acoustic hymnal closing track.

Russell performs at the Park Theatre on March 3. Be there. ★★★★½ out of five

Stream these: Springtime, The Return, Requiem

— John Kendle

 

JAZZ

Angelica Sanchez
Nighttime Creatures (Pyroclastic)

This excellent album is difficult to review. It is avant-garde with full-on free and dissonant music, but it deceptively includes almost jarring variations from track to track. It has been suggested that it be listened to in small portions if the full intent is to be appreciated.

It is well worth the effort.

Pianist/composer Angelica Sanchez’s nonet has saxophonists Michaël Attias and Chris Speed, Ben Goldberg on contra alto clarinet, Thomas Heberer on quarter-tone trumpet, cornetist Kenny Warren, bassist John Hébert, drummer Sam Ospovat and guitarist Omar Tamez.

While constantly exciting and often surprising, it is predominantly challenging with free-wheeling solos and effects. Yet there are many “quiet” and beautifully lyrical moments, such as in portions of Cloud House or RingLeader. Goldberg’s deep-sounding contra alto clarinet is fascinating throughout, with strong trumpet/cornet work by Heberer and Warren. The two saxophones are simply terrific.

The concept for this album arose from Sanchez’s experience living in a secluded cabin while teaching in upstate New York. She became fascinated by the sounds and reality of night away from the urban world, when hearing is the only sense that becomes activated. Her compositions grew from that awareness. Several tracks refer to personal mentors. C.B. the Time Traveler is for the influence of pianist Carla Bley, while Astral Light of Alarid is named in honour of her late father, to whom she dedicates the album.

The sudden changes in mood are perhaps most evident on Lady of the Lavender Mist, a beautiful Duke Ellington ballad given a lush arrangement that is a bit surprising and unique amid the new Sanchez works. It is gorgeous.

This is an extremely entertaining album while never diminishing the challenge within the music. Whether listened to all at once or in pieces, it is serious and important modern jazz. ★★★★ out of five

Stream these: Nighttime Creatures, Lady Of The Lavender Mist

— Keith Black

 

CLASSICAL

Trio Ernest
Haydn All-Stars (Aparté)

Trio Ernest pays homage to the legacy of Joseph Haydn as it marks its debut recording on the Aparté label.

The release includes four works by the quintessentially classical composer, with the first offering, Piano Trio in E minor, Hob. XV showcasing the ensemble’s refined artistry from its opening movement Allegro moderato through to its rollicking finale, Rondo: Presto.

Haydn fans will also enjoy the more unusual Piano Trio in E flat minor, ‘Jacob’s Dream!’ Hob. XV: 31 with its two movements originally inspired by the Biblical story of Jacob’s Ladder, as well as the more traditional Piano Trio in D major, Hob. XV: 7 and Piano Trio in E flat major, Hob. XV: 29.

The album notably features works penned by others inspired by Haydn. Highlights include Ravel’s Menuet sur le nom de Haydn M. 58, infused with lush harmonies and shimmering sonorities, as well as Brahms’s Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer 3’16 Op. 105, No. 2, rendered with heartfelt emotion.

By contrast, Belgian composer Jacqueline Fontyn’s wholly contemporary Lieber Joseph! showcases the group’s versatility as well as ease with extended instrumental techniques, including pointillist effects in the piano, and snap pizzicati in the strings, further underscoring the lasting influence of this composer still fondly known as “Papa.” ★★★★ out of five

Stream these: Piano Trio in E minor, Hob. XV; Rondo: Presto; Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer 3’16 Op. 105, No. 2

— Holly Harris