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Remy Le Boeuf: Architecture of Storms

By Jack Bowers
November 2, 2023
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It's hard to become bored or complacent when listening to Architecture of Storms, alto saxophonist

Remy Le Boeuf

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Remy Le Boeuf's second album as leader of the twenty-member Assembly of Shadows orchestra. Every song is quite different from the others, and every one has its moments of shapeliness and charm.

Le Boeuf arranged every number and composed all but Justin Vernon's "Minnesota, WI" and the album's nameplate, which he co-wrote with poet Sara Pirkle, he asserts, "on a brooding stormy day in Connecticut." Le Boeuf uses every melodic, harmonic and rhythmic device at his disposal to make the orchestra shine, a talent that is perhaps most visible on "Secondhand Smile," a harmonic masterwork wherein everyone excels, or the closing "Rumpus," an old-school swinger whose tantalizing groove is underscored by Le Boeuf's audacious alto and

Martha Kato

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Martha Kato's expressive piano.

Le Boeuf enters the same way, blowing with power and abandon on "Neener Neener," a rhythmic twister on which the ensemble shows its mettle, pressing earnestly onward to a vehement and emphatic climax. After a peaceful opening stanza, "Minnesota, WI" gathers momentum and fire behind a sharp solo by trumpeter

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Rodriguez, after which "Architecture of Storms," the album's lone vocal number, seldom entices the ear, impeded by a forgettable lyric and guest

Julia Easterlin

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Julia Easterlin's soft, unimposing voice.

The orchestra bounces back nicely on the spry and colorful "Face Value," whose engaging solos are delivered by guest tenor

Dayna Stephens

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Dayna Stephens and trombonist

Sam Blakeslee

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Blakeslee, and the lovely ballad "Union" (with equally lovely passages for the ensemble), written by Le Boeuf to celebrate his sister's wedding. "Sibbian," another radiant showcase for brass and reeds encasing warm solos by Kato and flugel

Matt Holman

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Holman, leads to "Secondhand Smile," the luminous "Bring Me There" (splendid solos courtesy of Kato and trombonist

Natalie Cressman

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Natalie Cressman) and "Rumpus."

Le Boeuf's impressive charts would bring out the best in any orchestra, and his Assembly of Shadows handles them with enthusiasm and assurance. A generally smooth and pleasurable ride with one slight bump in the road.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Neener Neener; Minnesota, Wi.; The Melancholy Architecture of Storms; Face Value; Union; Sibbian; Secondhand Smile; Bring Me There; Rumpus.

Personnel

Remy Le Boeuf

flute

John Lake

trumpet

Philip Dizack

trumpet

Mike Rodriguez

trumpet

Matt Holman

trumpet

Dave Adewumi

trumpet

Mike Fahie

trombone

Eric Miller

trombone

Natalie Cressman

trombone

Sam Blakeslee

trombone

Javier Nero

trombone

Isaac Kaplan

trombone

Jennifer Wharton

trombone, bass

Alex Goodman

guitar

Horace Bray

guitar

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor

Matt Aronoff

bass

Peter Kronreif

drums

Julia Easterlin

vocals

James Shipp

percussion

Additional Instrumentation

Gregory Robbins: conductor; Vito Chiavuzzo, Lucas Pino, John Lowery, Carl Maraghi, Anna Webber, Dayna Stephens: woodwinds; Seneca Black, Tony Giausi: trumpets; Joe Saylor: percussion.

Album information

Title: Architecture of Storms | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Soundspore Records

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