The 21 member Collective Order mixes voices, brass, keys, reeds and rhythm on this 13 song album that seems to be a sonic version of Ralph Waldo Emerson, in that it gives a veneration bordering on worship of “Mother Earth.”
Melanie Montour gives a “Land Acknowldgement” along with Andrew McAnsh/tp, Colin Story/g and the rumbling undercurrent of Julian Anderson-Bowes with Andrew Miller/dr. A gorgeous “Theme For Lake Ontario” features Ewen Farncombe’s piano leading into a drum pattern rippling over McAnsch’s crying horn. Thoughts on one’s heritage are addressed on the puffy “I Hear You” with poems and lyrics sung in English and Tagalog while Gaellic thems are softly produced by Jocelyn Barth and Emily Seinwall’s tenor sax on Meadow Lane.” A musical journey to Walden Pond.