We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Riot Cycle

by Altus

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $5 USD  or more

     

1.
2.
Axis 03:14
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Meditation 03:59
8.
Sunlight ebbs and flows The glow rolls across the floor like a breath, Fills the house with warmth then recedes Eery sparkle, the same images gleam through the screens around the house, the town, the nation The present came chasing out Clash the crashing cycles present now and future Ghosts reemerge, chanting for justice From mouths fly chants, songs of sorrow cross generations 
 Tragedy rippling through layers of time The possibility to exist in a brief moment To bare joy when justice has yet to return homebound Acidity of sun Rolling through the moments to afford bliss, despite Welcomes joy not as contrast but reaffirms To anchor purpose

about

Riot Cycle is a series of collaborative compositions and improvisational pieces written and recorded entirely remotely. In March of 2020, having only recently witnessed the potential of our musical bond, we, like the rest of the world, were separated from each other. Over the following year, we found ourselves gathering remotely to reflect, share our inspirations, and encourage one another during an incredibly difficult time.

These meetings were our anchor.

Our conversations inspired composition: Nathan Reising suggested that Dave Adewumi, Neta Raanan, Isaac Levien and himself compose individual pieces under the same restrictions. “Utopia Adjacent” was based on one of Olivier Messiaen’s modes of limited transposition, which Nathan had been experimenting with at the time. In an attempt to break compositional habits and as a substitute for live musical communication, we began to compose collaboratively. One of us would compose a musical sketch, and it would not be finished until Nathan, Dave, Neta, and Isaac had all contributed equally to it. “Axis,” “The Merchant, Tertius,” “Hexagonal Hawk,” and “Riot Cycle Repeats” are the results of this process.

Dave Adewumi suggested that we document our creations in the form of an album, and in September of 2020 we began the process of remote recording. Our intent was to make an album that embraced the circumstances we found ourselves in. We considered the limitations of remote recording carefully, and sought creative ways to use these barriers to our advantage. By recording on our own time we had the opportunity to manipulate and transform every performance.

Ryan Sands was the missing element in our universe. With Ryan on board, we began recording. One at a time. Alone in our rooms.

In the months that followed, Nathan prompted improvisational sketches among the horns, leading to “Blind Contour” and “Negative Space”. Isaac dug deep into a special moment from a pre-pandemic rehearsal, manipulating it into “Meditation”. Neta wrote and recorded the poem featured in “Riot Cycle Repeats,” with Sarah Rossy contributing her voice as well. All arrangements were collaborative.

As members of the band became vaccinated and some semblance of normalcy could be found in New York City, we partnered with Jack Broza on production, mixing, and mastering. Just as Ryan had invigorated Altus, Jack brought an entirely new dimension to our music, giving a live and organic quality to a project otherwise recorded in total isolation.

Riot Cycle is a reflection of our own experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the unlikely first chapter in what promises to be an enduring and prolific musical alliance.

A special thank you to Amir Bar Akiva for his contribution on “Meditation” and for being present for the genesis of this band.




Riot Cycle Repeats

Sunlight ebbs and flows
The glow rolls across the floor
like a breath,
Fills the house with warmth then recedes

Eery sparkle, the same images gleam through the screens
around the house, the town, the nation

The present came chasing out

Clash the crashing cycles present now and future

Ghosts reemerge, chanting for justice
From mouths fly chants, songs of sorrow cross generations

Tragedy rippling through layers of time

The possibility to exist in a brief moment
To bare joy when justice has yet to return homebound

Acidity of sun
Rolling through the moments to afford bliss, despite
Welcomes joy
not as contrast but reaffirms
To anchor purpose

credits

released July 23, 2021

David Adewumi - Trumpet
Isaac Levien - Bass
Neta Raanan - Tenor Saxophone, Voice on Riot Cycle Repeats
Nathan Reising - Alto Saxophone
Ryan Sands - Drums
Sarah Rossy - Voice on Riot Cycle Repeats

Recorded by Everyone at home
Mixed, Mastered, and Produced by Jack Broza

Cover Art by Jill Levien at jillsart.com
Poetry by Neta Raanan

**If $5 is a burden to you and you would like a copy of this music please contact us**

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Altus New York, New York

Altus is an ensemble assembled by Dave Adewumi and Isaac Levien. Over the course of a few years the project has developed into a quintet with Neta Raanan, Nathan Reising, and Ryan Sands also contributing their instrumental and compositional talents.

contact / help

Contact Altus

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Altus, you may also like: