Echoes

Description

For its 14th anniversary, the "Fire! Orchestra" is back with its largest lineup to date, featuring an international cast of no fewer than 43 members, including lead singer Mariam Wallentin, as well as newcomers David Sandstrom and Joe McPhee, both on vocals, with McPhee also on tenor saxophone. While rooted in the grand tradition of ensembles led by musicians such as Carla Bley, George Russell, and Keith Tippett, "Echoes" is resolutely set in 2022 and incorporates elements of rock, jazz, folk, electronic, classical, and contemporary music. This nearly two-hour work was first presented at the Stockholm Jazz Festival in October to thunderous applause from a packed house. The central elements of "Echoes" are the seven eponymous parts, each over 10 minutes long, interspersed with shorter pieces featuring a string quartet, an "African" track, and, generally, music of an exploratory and experimental nature. Given the size of the orchestra and the somewhat intimidating working title, this is a very open, breathing, organic, detailed, and dynamic recording, with plenty of space. It was mixed by Jim O'Rourke in Japan over two autumn months. Mastering and vinyl cutting were done by loop-o mastering in Berlin, resulting in a fantastic-sounding album, especially the vinyl edition, which is a real treat.