What we will find on the newest single from Earthtones Trio, titled SoundTracks, is an inspired marriage of Folk, Classical, and Contemporary Jazz. One that’s executed with exceptional precision and soul.
The Glasgow-based trio is the brainchild of Scottish composer and Arranger Euan Stevenson. Drawing inspiration from the people, locales, and landmarks of, and surrounding Falkirk, Sound Tracks is a celebration of the composer’s town of birth, a celebration that’s delivered truly from heart to heart, as you will feel the rich, vibrant daylight life in Skirmish, and the fragrant, romantic, and peaceful atmospheres in Wheel Slowly Turning, with both songs featuring intricate, impassioned performances from the talented players.
The double-sided single starts with the interesting, and entertaining Skirmish. Twisting, nuanced melodies are effortlessly delivered, primarily through Flautist Katherine Bryan’s inspired performance, and Euan’s rich, layered, and atmospheric piano composition. The unsettled rhythms are a primary delivery method for the jubilant, playful sound, that despite a composition dense with harmonic darkness and ample dissonance, manages to stay sounding upbeat and hearty, albeit in a peculiar, difficult-to-describe fashion. Following Skirmish is the stunning Wheel Slowly Turning. Driven, once more, by an outstanding flute part from Katherine, this piece features a sublime string section, led by a gut-wrenching cello part courtesy of Betsy Taylor. The main motif, delivered by the piano, carries within it hope, lament, and sorrow. Hope when unaccompanied, lament when it is accompanied by the contemplative cello wails, and sorrow when backed with the entire arrangement, at those moments, the full emotive force of the piece is delivered, for moments that are incredibly potent and gorgeous.
Earthtones Trio is a masterful group whose sound is incredibly rich for a trio, showing massive musicianship, and highlighting in particular, Euan Stevenson’s delightful ear for arrangements. Those delicate, intricate compositions are equally and concurrently musically rich, intricate, and intelligent, yet accessible, effortless, and direct. Truly sublime.