This set of Philip Glass compositions, arranged by Third Coast Percussion visits the watery terrain of the Amazon and manages to conjure up that soundworld through a series of liquid, glassy sounds using a unique combination of instruments. Glass and redwood marimbas, an almglocken, tuned pvc pipes and a ‘sun’ drum combine with timbres on synths and some wonderful flute sounds by Constance Volk.

The opening few bars sound as if they are going to take us into a Yes or Genesis album. It certainly explores some of that Prog Rock soundworld, but then visits territory geographically, musically and spiritually much further away. Far from being constantly floaty and ethereal however, there is some real energy and propulsion. ‘Negro River’ for example has some really strong rhythmic chops with the use of pipes (sounding a little like whirly tubes) and a very wooden, percussive sounding marimba. The range of sounds explored by Volk works best when she is using timbres unique to the flute; there is some wonderful flutter tonguing for example, and in ‘Japura River’ she manages to produce that attacking rhythmical blowing akin to a Peruvian journey.

Ultimately however, this album is about nature and how the human spirit connects with it. Clever, fast-moving harmony is not part of its identity and this is summed up beautifully by ‘Madeira River, Part II’. An uplifting and meditative exploration of the soul is its apparent, and hugely successful aim.

PERFORMANCE ★★★★
RECORDING ★★★★

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