Zolder Ellipsis – Il Libro dei Tropi (Lizard Records, 2024)
Zolder Ellipsis’ second album, Il Libro dei Tropi, explores a diverse range of musical styles, mixing elements of experimental/progressive rock, jazz, and other genres. The album takes its title from the concept of “troping,” which refers to the use of musical or literary devices in new contexts. The band draws inspiration from medieval composers, reinterpreting familiar forms to create both fresh and idiosyncratic compositions.
Compared to their previous release, Entropy Override, this album is more organized, featuring complex rhythms and intricate instrumental counterpoints. However, the group’s signature improvisational energy remains intact. Il Libro dei Tropi also marks the band’s first collaboration with writer Eunsong Kim, along with vocalist Esther Mugambi delivering Kim’s lyrics, adding a new dimension to their sound.
Throuhgout Il Libro dei Tropi, Zolder Ellipsis masterfully intertwines inventive rhythmic and harmonic shifts, creating a dynamic experience that both captivates and challenges the listener. The album is intricate, yet approachable; effortlessly balancing enjoyable music with segments that reward deeper exploration. The band’s innovative approach to jazz rock, infused with avant-garde elements, reimagines various subgenres through their distinctive lens. For those seeking a quirky progressive musical feast, their sound weaves melodic avant-prog, improvised psychedelia, and echoes of krautrock and Canterbury.
Musicians: Sean Moran on guitars; Tom Aldrich on keyboards, piano, organ; Chad Langford on bass, voice;
Ivo Bol on synths and samplers; Pierre Aeternus on drums; and Esther Mugambi on vocals.
All music composed and produced by Tom Aldrich. He is an American composer and keyboardist and the leader of Zolder Ellipsis. He was a co-founder of the Four Bags. Furthermore, he has worked with artists like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bang on a Can, Jackie Cain, and songwriting icons Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. His music has been performed in the U.S., Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Scotland, Italy, and Serbia.
Texts (7,9) by Eunsong Kim
Track 8 contains excerpts from “Descent into the Maelstrom” by Edgar Allan Poe.
Buy Il Libro dei Tropi.