Sounding Numbers brings together two modern ensemble works from South–Argentinian composer/ saxophonist/researcher Miguel Angel Crozzoli.  The works blend ‘n’ blur together elements of horn/ string/ electronic ambience, Avant classical composition with female vocalising, ebbing  jazz drifts, and electro-acoustic soundscaping

This CD release appears on the always-worthy Kairos Music- who release some of the most interesting/ captivating within the modern classical/ modern composition genres. The disc comes presented in the labels house style four-panel digipak & stuck on a glossy colour inlay booklet- this runs at twenty-three pages. Taking in bios/ pictures of the composer & the players, as well as write-ups about the pieces- with text in both English & German.

Miguel Angel Crozzoli has been composing work since the late 2010’s- he now resides in  Copenhagen, and going by the evidence of two works featured here his focus is on creating slowly morphing work, which is all about drifting flow & atmospheric tone. so I’d certainly say you’ll need to enjoy the more ambient/moody/ cinematic side of modern composition to enjoy his work. The two works featured here explore the intersection between climate data and music.

Both works here are played by the lineup of Miguel Angel Crozzoli- tenor saxophone. Calum Builder- Alto Saxophone.  Jūra Šedytė- voice. Valeria Miracapillo-electronics- Ida Nørby- cello. Johannes Nästesjö-double bass.

We open with 2021’s “I Am the Forest”. This is four-track work- with each part lasting between four and nine minutes. Over the work's length, we move for slow shifting blends of ambience, electro-textural detail sweep, growing string bay, and sorrowful vocals wails 'n' moans. Onto slow-mo blends of forlorn horn & string simmer, steadily warbling electronics and tonal creaks. Though to mixes of sweeping vocal bays,  steady texturally peterings, and wound-down horn/ string sear.

The second work is 2022’s “I Am the Ocean”. This is a three-track work- with each part running between five and nearly twelve minutes. We move from brood ambient rises and drifting horn/ string forks. Onto warbling & baying layers of bass horn, malevolent swooping vocals, tricking electronics, and general creak ‘n’ fiddle.  Though to hissing ‘n’ scaping, warbling to semi-spoken word vocals, and moody horn honked.

As a release Sounding Numbers is a wavering ‘n’ wondering sound journey into more atmospherically set modern composition. I’d certainly like to check out future work from Mr Crozzoli.