Afterglow
Under the skilled and intuitive guidance of musician and composerMichael Hoppeon keyboards,Afterglowis a collaborative effort of deep sensual beauty and full-figured elegance. With such improvisational songs as "Shadows Fall," the driving pulse of Martin Tillman's cello intensifies the mindful meandering of flutistTim Wheater's rounded tones. And on the bittersweet "A Thousand Whispers," Tillman's strings take on a boldly brooding neoclassicism bearing out the project's premise to have "deeply felt performances" supercede all other motives. Elsewhere, as on "The Listening Wind," Wheater's melodies float, quiver, and reverberate a pattern of primitive lines in contrast to Tillman's innovative, plucky tick-tock. Built solely on the nonwritten structures set by Hoppe, the emotionally rich and relaxingAfterglowis the spontaneous, supple, and spirited union of three of the most masterful soloists of instrumental music.--Paige La Grone