This unique drums and voice trio consists of Aaron Dolman (drums, compositions) and singers Sarah Rossy, and Eugénie Jobin (aka Ambroise, who occasionally joins on vibraphone). Their music deftly oscillates between minimalist song and more abstract territory, and sometimes combines the two such as on their idiosyncratic treatment of Joni Mitchell’s “The Fiddle And The Drum.”
Despite of their your age the sensitivity they demonstrate on this material, the harmony and rhythmic approach are pretty matured to say at least. The approach here is completely different to what Dolman presented on his 2019 Nostalgia and Other Fantasies debut recording in quintet, with singer and violinist Caitlin Smith, containing two guitarist and bassist. Step from folk and some sonic universe sounding to my European ears like Appalachian spiced Country flavor is distinguished and significant.
Here reducing the dialogue into the Duo Voces most of the time puts a different pace into the music and its contemplative nature is very obvious. So is an expanded field of Aaron tasks which are now covering every bit of the music for which his drumming is creating an entire framework. With voices floating gently between the bits, or occupying the space acapella. The Space and the Silence became the major notes here in this minimalistic spectacle about communication. Equally engaging musically as theatrically , as I would imagine myself how this performance would go live.
As Aaron says in the linear notes: ” This is music about space. The space between each note, each word, each breath. Between what was , what is , and what can be. Between you and me. The challenge of giving , taking and making space. The precious and vast potential of the material spaces around us and the intangible spaces within us. The gentle potency of silence. This is music about the spaces that holds the once we love and that are left empty when they are lost. “
The disc has already seen some favorable foreign press (from Denmark’s salt-peanuts* and Mexico’s Densidad 20.25, and Germany’s Groove.de) as well as considerable airplay on the influential Princeton, New Jersey station WPRB. And I am sure nuch n=more will be heard once the launched material will start to sink into the people’s souls. That is a slow burning fuel, this music, but one which definitely will warm you up.
****
Aaron Dolman,Sarah Rossy, Eugénie Jobin – Are You Here To Help?
self release co funded by Canada Council for The Art
Tracks:
1. Lighthouse Keeper
2. Giving (With)
3. Together
4. Sights a Heavy Breath
5. Borrow The Memory
6. Apart
7. Here to Help (Intro)
8. Here to Help
9. Fiddle and the Drum
10. When We Get There
11. To Hold Love
Line up:
Aaron Dolman – drums
Sarah Rossy – voice
Eugenie Jobin – voice, vibraphone (tr,2,4,8)
Music & lyrics: Aaron Dolman
except ” The Fiddle and The Drum ” by Joni Mitchell