From the Earth

Andromeda Turre is a composer, vocalist, pianist, arranger, actress, community organizer, and radio program host. Professionally she inmhabits the worlds of jazz, theater, classical, R&B, and synth pop, either solo or as half of synth pop duo Eminent Pulse. From The Earth is a sprawling jazz oratorio; a four-movement vocal suite that poignantly examines climate change, human impact on the earth, and environmental justice. Each movement reflects a different community, disproportionately affected by climate change appended by interview segments with leaders from these communities. Turre sings, plays piano, and percussion instruments, with a large cast that includes saxophonist Chelsea Baratz, marimbist/vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu; percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo; harpist Riza Printup; a backing chorus and choir that includes her mother, cellist/composer Akua Dixon. Other musicians on the date include father Steve Turre on trombone and shells; pianist Eric Lewis (aka ELEW); bassist Richie Goods; drummer Gene Lake, and Harold E. Smith on didgeridoo. From The Earth offers varied timbres, colors, and instruments to evoke the imagery from four thematic biospheres: Earth is represented by rhythm instruments, Sky melds tonal possibilities from brass, vibes, and harp. Sea showcases percussion as a cultural link to Puerto Rico and Cuba. Ices use of use of EWI (electronic wind instrument) and horns to create textural mystique; theyre assisted by the choir who balance these varied sounds. Each biosphere is structured in three movements, each holding a specific meaning. The first movement in each concerto welcomes listeners via soundscapes. The second represents communal voices, while the third meditates on the interconnectedness of said community and the natural world. The project begins with Betty Neals reciting her unaccompanied poem "Ingression." On "Geosphere," Turres throaty alto delivers lyrics reflecting our human union via shared residency on the planet. The post bop jazz frame includes glorious solo work from Lus marimba and pianism of ELEW. Second single "Earth Waltz," offers glorious post-bop swing, amid marimba, piano, bass, drums, and percussion. Its Turre at her best, presenting the openness of the sky, inexhaustible as possibility in her dramatic enunciation. Sky is introduced by the dreamy "Atmosphere," with Turres ethereal, vocal, framed by harp, piano, vibes, bass, and a brushed drum kit. "Hydrosphere," is harmonically and lyrical. Turre duets with a saxophone ostinato above the band before her father closes it with a conch shell solo. "Sin Agua No Hay Vida," is hard-grooving salsa offered in Spanish, establishing a cultural link to the islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba. The rippling hand percussion and piano montunos are breathtaking; the swinging horns were arranged by Steve Turre. First single "Contigo" is a merengue framed by piano, backing chorus, and percussion. Turre sings in English in pop style, as her dad delivers a joyous trombone solo. From The Earth is a major work by a visionary artist. It seamlessly integrates themes and genres, representing these four biospheres as interdependent to one another and humans. ~ Thom Jurek