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Sam Anning: Earthen

By Jerome Wilson
July 3, 2024
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Sam Anning

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Anning spent three years as bassist for

" data-original-title="" title="">Archie Roach, an Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter who championed the rights of that country's Aboriginal people. Roach passed away in 2022 and this album is Anning's tribute to him, a set of original works that carry forth the inner strength and understated force of Roach's music.

Anning's compositions are unhurried and contemplative. They resemble classic ECM sounds but with a warmer, more intimate vibe. Throughout the album

Andrea Keller

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrea Keller's piano leads the rhythm section in providing a graceful but sturdy foundation for the horns and guitar to work against. On tracks such as "Strangers" and "Moonland," the group's sound unrolls in layers with

Mat Jodrell

trumpet
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Mat Jodrell's mournful trumpet and

Theo Carbo

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Theo Carbo's dreamy guitar prominent. The measured beat of "Kicking And Screaming" gives Jodrell,

Carl Mackey

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Mackey on alto sax, and

Julien Wilson

saxophone, tenor
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Julien Wilson on tenor sax, space to quietly lament while Keller creates a powerful solo.

Most of the album can be assumed to be about conditions in Australia but one track, "Uvalde," seems to specifically refer to a recent American tragedy, the 2022 mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. It has a sinister melody line led by Jodrell punctuated by sharp cymbal strikes from drummer

Kyrie Anderson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kyrie Anderson that sound like gunshots. "Eleventy Million" ends the album on a note of dignified uplift with Jodrell's trumpet ringing out over a serene progression led by Carbo's acoustic guitar.

There is a warm, enriching glow to Sam Anning's music. All the musicians involved here fit well into his concept and they produce a quietly rewarding album that exudes calm and subtle strength.

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Track Listing

Rise Up Lights; Strangers; Hard Light; Transitive States; Kicking Not Screaming; Moonland; Uvalde; The Flipper; Eleventy Million (For Auggie Bruten).

Personnel

Sam Anning

bass

Mat Jodrell

trumpet

Carl Mackey

saxophone, alto

Julien Wilson

saxophone, tenor

Andrea Keller

piano

Theo Carbo

guitar

Kyrie Anderson

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Julien Wilson: electronics; Andrea Keller: Wurlitzer.

Album information

Title: Earthen | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Earshift Music

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