Sound Underground is a trio
with an unusual approach in instrumentation. Comprised of saxophonist David
Leon, trumpeter Alec Aldred and guitarist Jonah
Udall, the collective traverses through inventive textures and colors far
beyond the limits of its unconventional chamber instrumentation.Their album is aptly titled Quiet Spaces, as
truly the spaces and beauty of the well-chosen ideas convey the lyrical and
introspective sound of this trio.
“Tiny Kingdom”and “Quiet Spaces” exhibit this
wistful introspection best, reshaping through wide emotional landscape
and texture of colors, the trio creates an intriguing sound. On “Awake
With A Start” Leon creates a playful solo that is augmented by a warm
and round tone.A cheeky tune “$2.43
Regular Unleaded,” likens beeps from a car door and a gas pump for a
fun and exhilarating joy-ride.
The trio is very connected emotionally, you can hear an
unmistakable characteristic in Sound Underground’s music, it’s the way they weave
improvisation and composition together into a single musical fabric, spinning
lyrical ideas that have both careful craft and captivating immediacy.
What is most striking about this recording is the
organic production.Recorded live and
without isolation, Quiet Spaces highlights a unique
acoustic sound, intimate in personality and approach.Left in purposefully the breath, key clicks,
valve clicks, and fingers moving on guitar strings – allows the listener to
feel as if they are personally in the room with the trio.
Overall, a delightfully engaging offering enjoyable in many
facets.Sound Underground is an uncommon
ensemble instrumentation, yet not a foreign sound, calmly inviting the listener to dig deeper,
and to enjoy the finer points of their music. Well done, highly recommended.
