feature photo: Liz Linder
Three major figures of the New Age scene combine forces making music in an unusual way for the genre. The aptly titled Seven Conversations chronicles the meeting of Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Vin Downes (guitar) and Tom Eaton (keyboards and bass), doing what they do best, producing the kind of soothing, ethereal music that made Windham Hill Records famous. However, there’s a bit of a twist here, as these seven tunes – or ‘conversations’ – are songs that they collectively composed as they were recording them.
Improvisation, the method of music-making most closely associated with jazz, can inspire all sorts of results, but the common denominator across all genres is that music made this way is music made by hand and from the heart.
In the case of Oster, Downes and Eaton, the results are contemplative, and coming from a place of serene sentiment. That’s much like the music these three normally play, but with a greater sense of discovery and empathy.
As Eaton recounts, the only thing decided at the start is the key and when one player steps forward with a figure or motif, the others respond, and build on that kernel. Their unhurried approach allows the story to unfold naturally.
“A Reckoning,” where Downes gently fingerpicks a three-chord riff, Oster’s horn unobtrusively soars overhead, and Eaton’s assortment of keyboards – including acoustic piano – builds a bed of lush aural backing. The three sources all come together in a solid state of gleaming, dulcet sonority.
Clearly, coming up in real time with parts that fit together with everyone else’s part accounts for much of the flair of Seven Conversations. “Words Overheard” (video above) has a bit of a groove going from Eaton’s repeating figure and bottom end backing from his bass. Oster casts out floating lyric lines and Downes supplies the harmonic counterpoint.
Eaton’s carefully placed, delicate piano notes favorably cue up his cohorts for “A Confession,” and the track subtly picks up momentum as the three modulate in sync. By contrast, it’s Downes’ fingerpicked part that puts “Subliminal” into motion.
“Hours Slip By” is immersive, thanks to Eaton’s breathing synth backing, Downes’ sparkling guitar and Oster’s reverberating flugelhorn. The synth pulse that saunters in and out centers the song, a bit of electronica that actually enhances the organic feel.
Jeff Oster, Vin Downes and Tom Eaton prove that ambient or New Age music doesn’t have to be planned to be good. In their capable hands, it’s just as viable to create this kind of music spontaneously.
Order Seven Conversations from Bandcamp.
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Related CDs on Amazon:
Seven Conversations by Oster, Downes and Eaton
Brothers by Ackerman, Oster and Eaton
Reach by Jeff Oster
Skies & Openings by Vin Downs
Weathering by Tom Eaton
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