Sync finds accomplished reedsman
Ned Rothenberg in a trio with
Jerome Harris, on both acoustic bass guitar and guitar, and Samir Chatterjee, who provides hand percussion. The group performs original compositions, with some improvisation, yielding an album of strongly organic music that's a cohesive mesh of different musical influences, flavors, and approaches. "Gamalong" is a wonderful introduction to what's in store, opening with
Rothenberg circular-breathing on alto during this folk-like melody and treatment by finger-picking
Harris, and Chatterjee on tabla. "Dad Can Dig" features
Rothenberg on bass clarinet, while the third track, "Lost in a Blue Forest," finds him on shakuhachi. With
Sync, these skilled multi-instrumentalists create an enjoyable and varied listen. Some might find that the super-clean sound and production of this album slightly flattens the energy, nevertheless, it is a very nice album. ~ Joslyn Layne