"Chonta Madre" by Andre Astaiza (Orenda Records, 2022)

     In his own words, composer and French Horn artist Andrey Astaiza describes his thought process while creating and considering the music of 2022's "Chonta Madre"

        "These non-traditional performances have reminded me that an individual thought can become a collective thought that can result in art that is just as valid as the traditions taught to us and that    perhaps theorists, scientists and educators cannot explain."

  The six tracks on the album were created from two sessions of extended improvisations between the nine members in the ensemble. The make up of the orchestra is quite unique as well. Astaiza brings the conch in addition to his horn and is joined by voices, two types of marimba (one of which being the Chonta Madre which lends itself to the title), homemade percussion, field recordings, electronics, drumset and various keyboards. 

 As a listening experience, I found Chonta Madre to be equally well suited to a scenic car ride or on nice headphones in a bedroom. There were moments that reminded me of Damon Albarn's genre-splicing side project Mali Music as well as some of the more left-field sounds of Tom Ze's later albums while visiting trance, psychadelia and much more along the way. 

 The music here is also politically inspired, having been made during a period of upheaval in Astaiza's native country of Ecuador where he currently serves as the Dean of the School of Sonic Arts at the University of the Arts in Guayaquil. He notes the similar dialogues between the protestors in the street and the ensemble of instruments, in fact referring to both as "ensembles". 

 Finally, this is yet another entry into the ever expanding catalog of wonderful releases from Los Angeles-based label, Orenda Records. There is nothing else quite like it on that roster and also nothing else quite like it in my collection. The sound evokes multiple worlds colliding; the street and the studio, the ancient and modern. 

 I highly recommend this for music listeners with adventurous, curious dispositions and taste. It's quite the treat!