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Leaving the confounding complexity of the world behind, Deborah Martin and Jill Haley head Into the Quiet (43'14"). Their second collaboration of reeds, horns, woodwinds and sonic synth statements - where again exquisite moods seem to fix into physical locations - this release conveys further the beautiful power realized earlier on their The Silence Of Grace (2021). Declaring themselves across eight tracks this duo evokes a substantial set of pleasing pastel atmospheres and elegant ambient zones. As Martin's sustaining layers of luxuriant synthesized sounds and lustrous mountainous chords enlarge our listening space, Haley's Oboe and English Horn leads rise, focus and fall along a ribbon of key consonance. Each passing piece is another blessed encounter with something deeper, denser and wiser. From bright sonic sweeps and plush textures of bliss, to quiet twilight realms, Martin and Haley guide us gently through their vivid musical dreamland. Passing between the soft, the soothing and the sleeping Into the Quiet coaxes pages of engaging narrative from a vista of murmuring harmony and assenting tone - playing out as a thousand beautiful dreams sound softly within. In pursuing music's secrets Martin and Haley strive for the gravity of insight - while we listeners, if only for the running time of this album, are offered a rare encounter with such unity and accord.
- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END 22 June 2023 |
