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Andrea Brachfeld & Insight: Evolution
ByHaving said that, it would be hard for a child of any age who is less than musically astute to connect with Brachfeld's cerebral and sophisticated themes, which never yield to the lowest common denominator. Her melodic arsenal consists of various flutes, some of which Brachfeld plays simultaneously, thanks to overdubbing, as well as kalimba and spoken word ("Child of the Earth"). There is nothing at which she does not excel, regardless of mood or tempo. The other members of Insightpianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Harvie S, drummer Jason Tiemannare resolutely in synch with her message and consistently supportive.
Brachfeld and O'Connell are responsible for the album's opening numbers, "What's Up" and "Decimation of Transformation," each of which is bright and swinging. They also wrote "Child of the Earth," "The Unraveling of It All" and the meditative finale, "Being with What Is." Jon Wheeler and Randall Prescott co-wrote the soft-flowing "Qingauitt" (try pronouncing that one), Hazrat Bedam Shah Warsi "The Hut Song," Shlomo Carlebach "Ko Ribon." Brachfeld, who takes most of the solos, is a superb improviser, as is O'Connell whenever he is called upon to step forward (as is the case for an extended discourse on "Decimation of Transformation," on which Tiemann also solos). Harvie S takes his solo turn on "Qingauitt."
Even though the children's aspect is more or less muted save for "Child of the Earth," the music itself is consistently engaging and admirably performed by Brachfeld and her teammates. When the sum is totaled, that is what counts most.
Track Listing
What’s Up; Decimation of Transformation; Qingauiit; The Hut Song; Child of the Earth; The Unraveling of it All; Ko Ribon; Being With What Is.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Evolution | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Origin Records
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Andrea Brachfeld
Album Review
Jack Bowers
Evolution
Origin Records
Bill O'Connell
Harvie S
Jason Tiemann