Lost Language(s)

The session began with a power outage at the studio. After years of plotting this album, it was not a promising start.

The idea had been in my head for years, percolating away. My (pretentious) concept for the album is modeled on Miles’ Kind of Blue and certain Mingus recordings. The four songs are all my compositions. The musicians had not heard them beforehand, and we’d never played together before (I’ve played with them separately, but never as a group). So what you’re hearing is pure improvisation, all recorded in a single afternoon.

The fourth song has no sax, because Terry had to leave. We recorded it, thinking we’d add sax later, but I like it as is. And it sticks to the concept of “What actually happened that day.”

Happily, the lights came back on just in time….

— Robert Ethington

Credits

Robert Ethington - drums, synthesizer
Steve Clements - Rhodes, synthesizer
Terry Hynde - alto & soprano sax
Gabe Schray - bass
Jacob Trombetta - pedal steel guitar

Produced, engineered and mixed by Jacob Trombetta
Mastered by Jeff France at Imperial Emporium Sound Options
Recorded at Trombetta’s House on September 7, 2024