by Rohn Borirakchanyavat
To me, Promises by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, and The London Symphony Orchestra felt like a very random collaboration. An electronic producer, jazz legend and concert orchestra joining forces to do post-minimalism was definitely not on my bingo card. However, despite how strange the combination looked on paper, they managed to create an album of unparalleled emotion and serenity, taking the strong suit of each of the artists involved and creating something truly memorable.
Electronic artist, Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points), is the root of this record. His composition and instrumentation is simple. Shepherd uses the piano, synthesizer, and harpsichord to create a dreamlike motif that is repeated throughout the piece. The simplicity of the composition combined with the LSO’s strings, glow softly yet incandescently, creating a feeling of incredible power yet profound rumination at the same time.
As gorgeous as Shepherd’s composition is, Sanders’ tenor sax really brings the whole piece together. His playing dances atop Shepherd’s music, filling the gaps while also letting the silence speak in its absence. Sanders’ playing brings such a deep and rich sense of spirituality that feels deeply moving without being overbearing. The versatility of his playing is also shown on this record as his sax longingly sighs and passionately wails throughout the record.
In conclusion, Promises stands out as a sum greater than its already titanic parts. Every part of this piece serves to complement another, creating a harmonious and deeply affecting listening experience. It stands out as one of the best records of recent year, worthy of an attentive listening session and your best pair of headphones.
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