Sound Liberation are a New York, USA-based eclectic chamber ensemble who have just come to my attention thanks to their new release under a new arrangement – Di. J. Quartet. Drawing on samples from everything from Edgard Varèse to Broadway melodies, it’s called Sound Liberation & Di. J. Quartet.
By Graeme Smith
Though badged under two different names, the acts are reconfigurations of ensembles both established by “digital jockey” Gene Pritsker. For this record he is joined by trumpeter Peter Oswald, bassist Clemens Rofner and drummer Simon Springer.
Sound Liberation & Di. J. Quartet opens with The Overtures. A playful fanfare quickly develops into an arrangement that mixes electric guitar, horn and electronic samples. The lively, orchestrated experimentation of it brings to mind the UK’s Anna Meredith. Over ten adventurous minutes, it proves to be a bright and welcoming start.
Density Intensity brings with it a simmering and atmospheric arrangement that’s married with a groovy beat that will have you moving. Unhinged, glitchy rapped vocals give it a wonderful sense of style. ManChartra brings with it an eerie darkness that develops into a contemplative odyssey with plenty of trumpet and cosmic textures. It’s a highlight.
MMM is beautifully soulful, borrowing vocals from early 20th century blues. Illusions Yet Again is cheerily ethereal with some long, ponderous notes swirling among lo-fi hip-hop percussion. Deep Time 2 closes the album with a psychedelic trip. A marching tempo will have you nodding along before things finish big with some sublime solos. It’s a final highlight.
If your New Year’s resolution was the expand your music boundaries then you need look no further than this album. It’s wonderfully experimental while remaining accessibly coherent. A difficult feat to pull off but Gene and his quartet have nailed it.
Sound Liberation & Di. J. Quartet was mixed and mastered by Gene Pritsker. It was recorded at Springer Studios in Vienna, Austria. You can give it a listen below.