[DEU] "People Changes", das neue Album von Kontrabassist und Singer/Songwriter NAT BALDWIN spiegelt die düstere Umgebung von Maine wider, in der es entstanden ist.

Natürlich zeigt dieses, sein viertes Album, Spuren seiner experimentellen Zeit, die er als Bassist der DIRTY PROJECTORS verbrachte und in denen er Schüler der Free Jazz Legende Anthony Braxton war, doch die ernste Isolation im großen Waldgebiet von New England macht die in einer Holzhütte entstandenen Songs persönlicher und aufrichtiger.

Ein schlankes Ensemble aus talentierten alten Freunden wurde fürs Studio rekrutiert - manche dieser Freundschaften reichen zurück bis in BALDWINs Kindheit in New Hampshire - und wurden ausgewählt, um den ernsten Sound der Songs wiederzugeben.

Die Cleverness der Entscheidung, Gesang und Bass der meisten Tracks live aufzunehmen wird schnell im Opener "A Little Lost" deutlich, in dem BALDWINs leicht trällerndes Falsett sich nah an das von Herzen kommende Cover des Arthur Russell Songs anlehnt.

Holzbläser blitzen hier und dort auf und bieten einen Gegenpol zum Pulsieren des Kontrabasses auf "Weights" und lassen sich dann zurückfallen, um BALDWIN allein in den Mittelpunkt von "Real Fakes" zu stellen.

Die komplette Tourband von BALDWIN passt perfekt zu den mutigen Arrangements von "Lifted", das dicht gefolgt wird von der der kantigen Improvisation zu "What Is There" und einer zarten Version von Kurt Weismans "Let My Spirit Rise".

Durchzogen von starken und frischen Texten ist "People Changes" eine Schneise durch lange Nächte, die man unter Kiefern verbracht hat.

Double bassist/singer-songwriter Nat Baldwin's forthcoming album People Changes is much like the stark Maine setting which it was created.

Of course, his fourth full-length shows welcome markings of his experimental bent from years as the Dirty Projectors bassist and former disciple of free jazz legend Anthony Braxton, but the serene isolation of 17 million acres of New England forestland make this cabin-born set intimate and sincere.

Baldwin first penned the songs in 2007, allowing the arrangements to evolve before the final recording in the spring of 2010.

A lean ensemble of talented, time-proven friends was enlisted for the studio--some dating back to his New Hampshire childhood--chosen specifically to create the album's earnest live sound.

Their apt decision to record voice and bass live on most tracks is quickly felt on opener "A Little Lost" letting Baldwin's softly warbled falsetto hug a heartfelt cover of Arthur Russell's sacred love song.

Woodwinds flit and pull against contrabass pulses on "Weights" then recede to let Baldwin's bare performance stir on "Real Fakes." The full cast of Nat's touring ensemble handsomely match the bold arrangements of "Lifted" followed by jagged improvisation on "What Is There" and a tender rendition of Kurt Weisman's "Let My Spirit Rise" to finish.

Charged throughout by lyrics crisp and strong, People Changes is a slice through the void of late nights spent among tall pines.

People Changes was recorded by Matt Walsh at Florida Keys Studio in New York City in May/June 2010, mixed by Scott Solter, and mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering.

Guests include Matt Bauder (clarinets), Caley Monahon-Ward (violin), Brett Deschenes (trumpet), Will Glass (drums), Al Mead (guitar) and Jeremy Leclair (alto saxophone).

The album follows A Split EP with Extra Life (2008, Shatter Your Leaves) on which earlier versions of "Weights" and "Lifted" appear, Most Valuable Player (2008), Enter the Winter (2006) and Lights Out EP (2005) on Broken Sparrow Records, and his experimental free jazz debut Solo Contrabass (2003, Peacock Recordings).