"An escape from the mind-numbing necessities of modern life… A subtle resonance that glows within the music's spaciousness imbues the soundscapes with a spirituality born of the natural world."
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TOPOGRAPHY
Topography features a collection of compositions and improvisations directly
inspired by the landscapes of the American West – especially Whidbey Island,
located just north of Seattle, WA. Pellegrin’s recording reflects “an urge many
of us have recently felt to escape the office, social media, or the news, and get
back to nature. However, while the wilderness offers peacefulness, there’s also
harshness, and constant reminders of the cycles of life.”
inspired by the landscapes of the American West – especially Whidbey Island,
located just north of Seattle, WA. Pellegrin’s recording reflects “an urge many
of us have recently felt to escape the office, social media, or the news, and get
back to nature. However, while the wilderness offers peacefulness, there’s also
harshness, and constant reminders of the cycles of life.”
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Praise for Topography
Restrained, understated and almost infinitely hushed … Pellegrin’s barely-there touch and Welch’s floating line confirms the thesis that profound tonal progression can be achieved without altering linear forms or shouting out the transformation. This is the record you want on when you need a meditative stretch, immersion into a total atmosphere, cleansing, transfixing, liberating, nothing to harsh your buzz … So many gorgeous moments on this record, where extended technique meets the lush, reverberant piano … Pellegrin’s delicate hammering marks out space; Welch’s saxophone traverses it. A lovely pairing. Perfect interplay between the two ... An album that must be listened to with deep attention, whose beauty must be grasped with due calm, and is contained in the subtleties of each single note. This album explores a quite radical level of economy and I can't imagine it being done better - every note counts. |
An escape from the mind-numbing necessities of modern life… A subtle resonance that glows within the music's spaciousness imbues the soundscapes with a spirituality born of the natural world. Topography is a masterful celebration of connection—between musicians, environment, and audience. Pellegrin’s improvisational compositions and talent complement Welch’s earthy, textural approach, resulting in a soundscape that mirrors the spirit of the PNW and offers listeners a meditative escape within the rhythms and beauty of the natural world. An ascetic style exercise in narrative minimalism. It’s all very intimate sounding, especially Welch’s playing, in which you can hear every breath stroke and movement … The gentle piano notes are what my brain keeps coming back to after putting this album on late at night so many times, there’s just something so calming and assuring yet still mysterious… |