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Brittany Anjou: Enamiĝo Reciprokataj
ByThe title of this mind-bending debut daterepresentative of the words "enamor, enigma, and reciprocity," and literally translated (from Esperanto to English) as "reciprocal love"offers different layers of suggestion, playing to awe, personal expression, and human connection all at once. "Starlight," the first number on this all-original effort, underscores that three-pronged concept in its brief lifespan: the trippy bookends, a lovably quirky core, and simpatico sensibilities demonstrated by Anjou and her trio matesbassist Gregory Chudzik and drummer Nicholas Andersonare perfectly aligned with the album's thematic tenets.
The Reciprokata Suitea multi-movement work spread out across the playlistrightly captures a fair amount of the attention here. The first part"Cyrene (Flight Of The Butterfly)"presents knotty and knuckled brambles of melody at its outset and completion, capturing higher times in between. It makes for a fascinating listen, but it pales in comparison to much of what follows. The remainder of the suiteAnjou's odyssey of the mind, in truthproves to be a journey allowing us to observe where waking wanderings and vivid dreams intersect. "Girls Who Play Violin" offers a looser alternative to the opening movement, with free flowing shapes, well-timed semi-caesuras, soft-focus sonics, and elegiac arco work; "Harfa" instantly downgrades itself from a formal height to comfortable confines, clearing space for Anjou to stretch with a signature blend of block chords, ruminative thoughts, and mischievous play; and "Olive You" operates with a cool and carefree attitude for long stretches, though two descents into madness, along with a multihued farewell, seriously deepen and broaden the picture.
Enamiĝo Reciprokataj's closing diptychthe suite-sealing "Flowery Distress" and the psychotropic "Reciproka Elektra"prove notable for their casting alterations among other things, bringing bassist Ari Folman-Cohen and drummer Ben Perowsky into play. But Anjou's personality, strong and mercurial as it is, continues to serve as the dominant force. Her gifts as a bricolage artist and original thinker remain in the foreground regardless of who's on board to help her flesh things out. While we've barely opened the door to 2019, we already have a serious contender for the year's strongest debut here.
Track Listing
Starlight; Reciprokataj I: Cyrene (Flight of the Butterfly); Snuffaluffagas; Reciprokataj II: Girls Who Play Violin; Balliou for Bartok; Hard Boiled Soup; Reciprokataj III: Harfa; Reciprokataj IV: Olive You; Reciprokataj V: Flowery Distress; Reciproka Elektra.
Personnel
Brittany Anjou
pianoBrittany Anjou: piano; Greg Chudzik: bass (1-8, 10); Nicholas Anderson: drums (1-8, 10); Ben Perowsky: drums (9, 10); Ari Folman-Cohen: bass (9, 10).
Album information
Title: Enamiĝo Reciprokataj | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Origin Records