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Maria Schneider: Data Lords
ByNot shy to point her finger at the mega-corporations that have control of our lives, Schneider relates her own personal suffocation, "As big data companies clamor for our attention, I know I'm not alone in struggling to find spaceto keep connected with my inner world, the natural world, and just the simpler things in life." As is Schneider's trademark, the beauty and range of tones, complexity of compositions and exceptional featured musicianship, offer an extraordinary soundscape to support the potent lyricism.
Data Lords is divided into 2 CD's, with the music on the first CD, The Digital World, focusing specifically on themes of an over data-driven world. Each of these compositions captures a distinct impact of our informational overload-driven society. "A World Lost" creates a mournful sound with guitarist Ben Monder and tenor saxophonist Rich Perry taking turns with musical angst. "Don't Be Evil" pokes at Google's original code of conduct motto with powerful and jarring solos delivered by Jay Anderson (bass), Ben Monder (guitar), Ryan Keberle (trombone) and Frank Kimbrough (piano). The close of the first CD is the title cut "Data Lords" which builds to a crescendo of sound with driving rhythms over-layered by tremendous solo outbursts by Mike Rodriguez (electrified trumpet) and Dave Pietro (alto saxophone).
The second CD, Our Natural World, finds Schneider creating an introspective, intense and physical landscape of nature, woven into an orchestral soundscape. Opening with "Sanzenin," a huge breath of serenity is taken with floating notes from Gary Versace on accordion, riding over a slow meandering melody of soft horns. Peace. "Look Up" is slow and measured in tempo, with brilliant accompaniment by Marshall Gilkes on trombone and Frank Kimbrough on piano, soaring with a harmonizing ensemble of other horns. "The Sun Waited for Me," the closing composition of the Our Natural World CD, delivers a positive celebration to the ears which grows out of solo lyrical melodies from Donny McCaslin on tenor and Marshall Gilkes on trombone.
Schneider's Data Lords harnesses complex musical orchestration with originality of concept, running contrast between musical imagery of a data-hungry world versus a struggle to find human space. The inspiration found its way into the artist's life directly, "just as I feel myself ping-ponging between a digital world and the real world, the same dichotomy is showing up in my music." Ultimately Schneider succeeds in telling this story through the mood, tempo and arrangement of these compositions, with a cast of stellar musicians and a conviction to stay true to her advocacy.
Track Listing
CD 1: A World Lost; Don’t Be Evil; CQ CQ, Is Anybody There?; Sputnik; Data Lords. CD 2: Sanzenin; Stone Song; Look Up; Braided Together; Bluebird; The Sun Waited for Me.
Personnel
Maria Schneider
composer / conductorSteve Wilson
saxophone, altoDave Pietro
saxophone, altoRich Perry
saxophone, tenorDonny McCaslin
saxophone, tenorScott Robinson
saxophone, tenorTony Kadleck
trumpetNadje Noordhuis
trumpetMike Rodriguez
trumpetKeith O'Quinn
tromboneRyan Keberle
tromboneMarshall Gilkes
tromboneGeorge Flynn
tromboneGary Versace
pianoBen Monder
guitarFrank Kimbrough
pianoJay Anderson
bassJohnathan Blake
drumsGreg Gisbert
trumpetAdditional Instrumentation
Maria Schneider: composer, conductor; Steve Wilson: soprano saxophone; Dave Pietro: clarinet, alto flute, piccolo; Donny McCaslin: flute; Scott Robinson: Bb clarinet, bass clarinet; contrabass clarinet; Tony Kadleck: fluegelhorn; Greg Gisbert: fluegelhorn; Nadje Noordhuis: fluegelhorn; Mike Rodriguez: fluegelhorn; George Flynn: bass trombone.
Album information
Title: Data Lords | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: ArtistShare
Comments
About Maria Schneider
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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