Description: Sophia Marshall
Lynne Arriale’s music is as mellow as a cup of tea. Then she wakes you, with notes of spice, and powerful modal caffeine. Her palette is wide. The colors are splashes of impressionist pastels. The Lights Are Always On has songs dedicated to her many heroes, and they build with honor and éclat and panache, leaving you feeling invigorated and calm, and clean.
The opening song, “March On”, is not a march but a waltz, but it has the feel of movement to something ever greater, and more haunting. Drummer E.J. Strickland is understated and grand, with bold hints of drama. Jasper Somsen on bass is an almost invisible presence, blending in with the low notes of Arriale’s piano, knitting and weaving the trio together.
“Sisters” is one of my favorites, with its gospel-soul feel, with the power to overcome tears, or to overcome through tears. Arriale’s solo is full of origami shapes, and leaps and dips with arpeggios and trills and blocks, with a heavy rhythm that is always light. It fades out with a light that keeps shining.