Collin Sherman: Ouroborosuite

The first sentence in multi-instrumentalist Collin Sherman's liner notes for his 2026 CD Ouroborosuite says: "The United States is eating itself." Ouroboros, the image of a snake eating its tail, is historically seen as a symbol of eternal, cyclical renewal. Sherman is using it as a symbol of self-destruction, specifically to the United States in 2026, as the country sinks into a stinking quagmire of political venom.

For Sherman, this is an often strident exploration undertaken in a do-it-yourself mode. He plays all the instruments, primarily reeds, but also a good deal more, with generous use of electronics—as he has on his previous albums like Life Eats Life (2026), Noir (2024), String Panes (2024), all on Ex-tol Records.

Sherman's thoughts expressed in music here say he is not a happy camper. Outrage is palpable in screaming alto saxophones. He broods with the dark woods (clarinet, bass clarinet). A Midi pipe organ adds imposing backdrops. "Find You Friends and Hold On" has a hopeful (just barely) mood. "Dystopian Bulgar" takes the sound into klezmer territory, and "What Have They Done Now" features a 4-horn front line (soprano saxophone, clarinet, alto saxophone, bass clarinet) joined by electric cello and drum programming in a mix that seems to question the sanity of things going down politically at this particular point in time.

Sherman's music pre-Ouroborosuite has not delved into current events and the malfeasance of those who, supposedly, lead us—those who would lead over the edge of the cliff, those who would help that snake devour itself and blink out of existence rather than represent a cycle of renewal. Sheman says, "Every note seems to become a cry—a cry for change, a cry of dismay, a cry of outrage."

And for the first time in his recording journey, Sherman adds his vocal contribution on "Force Beyond Control." It is reminiscent of Barry McGuire's 1965 radio hit, "Eve Of Destruction" (Dunhill Records), a warning then of the wrong turn that country had taken.

If ever there was a time for artists of all stripes to go political, to issue a warning, it is in the second presidential term of the man without a soul. Thumbs up, Collin Sherman.