Rob Frye may be known around Chicago as one head of the tri-part, shamanistic entity known as Bitchin' Bajas; although, unbeknownst to many, he has another life away from that transcendental, psychedelic outlet. That is, Rob is a credentialed field biologist. His role as a scientist began to overlap with his skills as a musician in an unexpected manner, when after the conclusion of his work with the Californian Institute for Bird Populations 2016, he began manipulating field recordings of an Amazonian bird called the uirapuru, or musician wren, unlocking the potential of the complex ambiance and elegant, tonal curvature of its call.
He's far from the first musician to become entranced by the uirapuru, as its song has inspired a number of classical pieces throughout the late 19th and early to mid-20th Century (as well as the samba, is legends are believed), but these calls take on a special character under the gaze of Rob's kaleidoscopic eye. It would be easy to imagine a pitch-shifted version of the uirapuru's call inspiring some exotic detours in a Bitchin' Baja's track, but Rob had other ideas. Instead, he's followed his feathered muse into the world of free jazz, resulting in a solo ensemble album he calls, Exoplanet. While the uirapuru only directly inspires two tracks on the album ("XC175020" and "XC222182"), the entire exercise has a free-flowing and organic quality to it, influenced by the human perception of nature.
The dynamism of the album is certainly owed in part to the players who participate on it, all of whom represent some of the most prodigious talents the city presently has to offer. With the involvement of local heroes like cornettist Ben Lamar Gay, violinist Macie Stewart, drummers of the likes of Quin Kirchner and Tommaso Moretti, as well as synthesizer guru Nick Ciontea, it is apparent that this is less of a flight of fancy, and more the execution of an eagle-eyed visionary.
Even knowing all this, it's astounding how fluid this Exoplanet is on the whole. While you are listening, it feels like you are simply bathing in its mellow tones and effortless flow. Like you are being glazed in sound, like rose-scented, crème de cassis syrup drizzled on a fresh raspberry crepe. There is barely a moment of drag in the entire proceeding, only a coalescence of confidence and mastery of form.
Clear some time this evening and let it Expolanet cascade through you. There are less transportive ways to spend forty minutes of your night, believe me.
Exoplanet is out via Astral Spirits Records. You can get it on vinyl here.
