Six Songs is a teasing sample of the exciting, captivating yet mellow music Orange Democracy has created.  After partaking these initial half dozen tunes, the listener would still be yearning to hear more.  This small ensemble, consisting of a few of New York’s finest, has created a highly enjoyable signature sound that is musically intelligent, yet never gets too quirky or advances too far off the beaten path as to leave the listener puzzled.  Musical novices as well as trained ears can both truly appreciate and take pleasure in Orange Democracy.

The focal point of Orange Democracy lies around Swiss pianist Cyrus von Hochstetter.  Equally proficient at classical and jazz stylings, he is the principle songwriter for the group as well as shares vocal duties.  His range of talent is eminent from the opening track “Bitter Rain” which features a quiet, subtle ivory introduction that catapults into a huge array of sound featuring a dialogue between a heavier piano, voices and saxophone.  Von Hochstetter’s heavy handedness with the bass notes is reminiscent of a Beethoven sonata as are the entire ensemble’s exquisite use of dynamic contrast.

These highly trained musicians appreciate the fine art of blending as is evident in “On A Bridge.”  New Orleans native Ted Boasso’s guitar nicely accentuates von Hochstetter’s keys in the introduction.  At the end of each verse of this plucky melody, these two young men join voices with Carla Jablonski which creates a nicely layered segue into the chorus.  This Pittsburgh native has a lovely voice and she knows how to use it as an instrument.  Throughout Six Songs she can be heard singing quietly above the melody line adding depth but never taking the spotlight.

In “High Heels to Hell” there is melodic contrast with the fun, quick staccato introduction overlaid with long sustained vocals.  Along these same lines, Amali Premawardhana adds cello interjected with Boasso’s short and distorted guitar effects.  Jablonski comes to the fore in the dynamic bridge as she sings over the piano and cello and ends with a little Frank Zappa-esque scatting.

“Untitled Face” is Boasso’s solely penned track on the album.  His singing style is earthier and invokes a pleading undertone compared to von Hochstetter’s clear, ringing voice.  The guitarist also uses enunciation as an instrument and melds his voice nicely with his acoustic guitar and spacey synthesizer.

The culmination of Six Songs is “Poisoned By The Sun.”  All musicians get a chance to rip in this last number, which opens with a quiet conversation between the ethereal keyboard, guitar and voice, reminiscent of early Chick Corea.  In the extended coda, the vocal trio of von Hochstetter, Boasso and Jablonski are joined by Samir Zarif on saxophone.  The keyboards enter and duet with the sax before the vocals belt a repetitious “ho” as Zarif kicks off a magnificently energetic solo before ebbing away to the quiet keyboard playing in the uppermost octave, like a music box winding down. 

Orange Democracy is bursting with unassuming talent and should be commended for the experimental musical stylings it is creating.  Hopefully the next album will offer even more music than Six Songs.

Reviewed By Kelly O’Neil

Kelly O'Neil, Reviews Cyrus Vonhochstetter, Orange Democracy, Six Songs