Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Erik Friedlander: Rings

6

Erik Friedlander: Rings

By

Sign in to view read count
Erik Friedlander: Rings
Repetition is sometimes seen as a bad thing. The mundane cycle of everyday life involving the same actions. However, it is only through repetition that differences can occur. A weekend is only special because it stands out as a difference from the ordinary week. But repetition is not only useful as a way of appreciating difference, it also has it is own poetry, which has been explored by minimalistic pioneers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich.

On the album Rings, cellist and composer, Erik Friedlander, explores the cyclical nature of composition and the compositional tool of repetition. Paradoxically, the album is incredibly varied and it examines a wide range of musical moods and textures. They range from the passionate tango of "The Seducer" to the misty impressionistic beauty of "Fracture," with a subtle percussive touch and scent of Indian spice.

Friedlander plays with his trio Black Phebe, a constellation with percussionist Satoshi Takeishi and Shoko Nagai on piano, accordion and electronics. Together they travel musically around the world in different times and places. From dusty streets and whirling dances to delicate and ethereal tone poems. The music is widescreen and it is easy to imagine several of the pieces being used in movies. For instance, "Tremors" is a slowly unfolding atmospheric piece, with gently vibrating strings singing like leaves in the wind, accompanied by drops of piano and rustling percussion.

The core of the album is "The Rings" that consists of the pieces: "Solve Me," "Canoe" and "Waterwheel." The compositions use the effect of looping, a new approach that Friedlander has not used before, as he says:

"In these pieces I create the composition as the trio improvises with me and around me. The Rings are a new thing for me. I've never been a fan of looping as a compositional technique but I turned around on it when I tried it with this band. I create the ring as we improvise and the result is hypnotic and beautiful...but organic."

The same could be said about the whole album, which is indeed both beautiful and organic. Rings is an album that successfully crosses the boundaries of classical music, jazz and world music using the vehicle of repetition. Friedlander's ability to combine melodic accessibility, improvisation and avant-garde leanings into poetic and cinematic music brings to mind the eminent pianist and composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. Rings serves as an ideal introduction to new listeners and will hopefully make even more people discover Friedlander's wonderful music.

Track Listing

The Seducer; Black Phebe; A Single Eye; Fracture; Risky Business; Tremors; Small Things; Solve Me; Canoe; Waterwheel; Flycatcher; Silk.

Personnel

Erik Friedlander: cello; Shoko Nagai: piano, accordion, electronics; Satoshi Takeishi: percussion.

Album information

Title: Rings | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Skipstone Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.