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Alchemy Sound Project — Under the Surface
(Bandcamp Artists Recording Collective no#, 2025, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2025-07-23

Under the Surface Cover art

The Alchemy Sound Project was formed as a collective of composers, and the ensemble’s previous recordings — Further Explorations (2016), Adventures in Time and Space (2018), and Afrika Love (2021) — have all featured pieces written by various of the members. Under the Surface, on the other hand, is devoted to the compositions of pianist Sumi Tonooka. These seven pieces are beautifully interpreted by Tonooka with group mainstays Gregg August (bass), Erica Lindsay (tenor sax), Samantha Boshnack (trumpet), Michael Ventoso (trombone), and Salim Washington (tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute), along with guest drummer Johnathan Blake. The set kicks off in fine, energetic form with “Points of Departure,” a trio arrangement which begins with a great drum solo — how often do I get to say that? This is followed by a bouncy section where August plays a quirky bassline and Tonooka turns in an amazing performance on the piano. The full group is featured on “Savour,” starting with an unaccompanied trombone solo using a plunger mute, setting a playful tone for some tasty full-band harmonies, in effect a kind of “little big band.” The longest track on the album is “Interval Haiku,” which features some especially nice arco bass work. A disjointed, syncopated rhythm underlies “Mother Tongue,” and Washington’s flute sings out on the erratic but catchy phrases. While they touch on a variety of tempos and moods, all of Tonooka’s pieces exhibit a very appealing harmonic richness that moves far beyond blues tropes and jazz standards. And with Alchemy Sound Project, she’s found a group of musicians perfectly suited to interpreting these sophisticated compositions.

Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases

Related artist(s): Alchemy Sound Project, Johnathan Blake, Sumi Tonooka

More info
http://sumitonooka.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-surface

 

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