An eclectic ten-chapter journey from Czech composer and keyboardist Otto Orany, 10 Blue-Penciled Stories features a hybrid ensemble of saxophone, clarinet, oboe, English horn, bassoon, contraforte, harpsichord, keyboards, bass, and drums. The album moves seamlessly from whimsical chamber miniatures to electronic, jazz-infused grooves, with each track situated within its own internal rules and tempo logic.
A dreamy sense of wonder emanates on “Tiptoe Elephant,” strutting elegant orchestration that steadily develops into engaging synth tones, echoing a synthwave buzzing. The playful synths and chiming bells conjoin for a melodically atmospheric grip, further bolstered by a jazzy, brassy emergence and ensuing rhythmic pitter-pattering. Right away, Otto Orany shows a clear capacity to develop from understated atmospheric intrigue to a more head-nodding soulfulness, apparent throughout a second half that fully embraces a lounge-set, jazzy pop colorfulness. Similarly compelling, “Temple of Friendship” conveys a blissful state throughout, traversing from balmy brass to smatterings of serene keys and lush rhythmic mystique.
An especially vibrant standout, “Trapped in Rap” delights in the interplay of warming brass, rainy-day keyboards, and pulsing rhythmic flair, delivering a briskly infectious charm. The album’s first single, “Lions Eat First” enamors in its initial synth arpeggios, breathy brass work, and haunting choral background effects. Smoothly impactful saxophone work dazzles around the three-minute turn, then developing into magnetic keys and a caressingly dreamy send-off. Elsewhere, the album stirs in other sonic realms — from the driving saxophone and woodwind allure within “Rainbow Rock” to the vintage-sounding “Berk Lee’s Aquarium,” whose clarinet work and nostalgic ’60s-like keys combine with enthralling appeal. Impressing in its high-quality musicianship and knack for atmosphere, 10 Blue-Penciled Stories is a fantastic listening experience from Otto Orany.
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“Lions Eat First” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
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