Sonic Liberation 8 celebrates 15 years as a creative music ensemble -joined by special guest artist Oliver Lake (World Saxophone Quartet) and the Classical Revolution String Trio. This is their 6th release on Philly's High Two Recordings. The album is a collection of compositions & arrangements realizing the confluences of loft jazz, Afro Cuban Yoruba music, new chamber music. Sonic Liberation 8 composed 5 new original pieces. On one track, Kevin Diehl, the octet's leader, recasts the Erik Satie composition, Gnossienne, as a platform for creative interaction rooted in these genres. Oliver Lake composed 2 compositions for specifically this Afro-Cuban-Yoruba jazz format. Diehl arranged bata drums parts for these 2 pieces along with another of Mr. Lakes compositions called Love Like Sisters. Love Like Sisters originally appeared on a World Saxophone Quartet album called Metamorphosis (1990 Elektra/ Nonesuch). Bombogenic was produced by Aaron Levinson and recorded outside of Philadelphia during the summer of 2015. Aaron is a 2-time Grammy nominated, 1 time Grammy winner. He has produced and released over 27 albums including The Philadelphia Experiment & Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Aaron and his crew engulfs the music of Bombogenic with a deep, lush sound. From the Liner Notes (LP) The beauty shines through. Do yourself a favor: put on your headphones or get close to your speakers, close your eyes. Hold someone's hand. Take this journey. By the time you get to track six, Streamin', you will already be transported. And then, it is time for Professor Lake to begin spinning his magic. You don't need to look to the future, you are there. We are here, now. We are in this together. Music reminds us of our gifts, our responsibilities, and the spirit of life. And beauty shines brightly. - Steve Rowland, oral historian and radio documentary producer (Miles Davis Radio Program, Leonard Bernstein: An American Life, Carlos Santana: Music For Life)
