The Awakening Orchestra - Volume 1: This Is Not The Answer (2014)

Here’s a two disc set that has something for just about everybody. Lead by composer Kyle Saulnier, the Awakening Orchestra touches styles ranging from Johannes Brahms and Samuel Barber to even Radiohead and Low, with a few original pieces thrown in for good measure.

The first disc of this two part extravaganza mixes Nathan Hetehrington’s voice and Samuel Ryder’s driving tenor sax through a miasma of moods, whle the thick horn harmonies on a multi-mooded take of Barber’s Violin Concerto include rock drumming and agonizing trombones and bari saxes. A bopping trio grooves on a reading of “Alone Together” along with rich and palpable harmonies, while the orchestra ends the section with a cataclysmic climax of David DeJesus’ alto, Michael MaCallister’s guitar and Felipe Salles’ saxophone on the last couple of pieces.

The second part on disc two is less kaleidoscopic, with some lovely piano and flute during Brahms’ Op 118 while, some exciting jazz features Rob Mosher’s soprano sax on the nine minute “Overture.” Film noirish moods with muted trumpets, ansd some fragrant motifs are included on “Empty Promises” and “This is Not The Answer” while rich harmonies along with a pair of trumpets on “Murderer” follow some cacophonous horns on “The Hypocrite and the Hope” and lead to some delicate voice by Seth Fruterman who closes the opus on “Hi Lili, Hi-Lo.” Music from the past, present and future is on full display here. -- George Harris ~ JazzWeekly