The Relatives is a new group split between New York City and Philadelphia consisting of T.J. Borden (cello), James McKain (tenor sax), and Leo Suarez (drums/perc). After many sessions and live performances of various groupings, this self-titled release is the trio’s debut recording, displaying a personally refined approach to pointillistic communication, interplay and the construction/demolition of static foundations.
Arriving at the NorthEast megalopolis from distant isolation (Western NY, Southern Illinois, Central FL),The Relatives came about through a mixture of playing shows along the East Coast, various Spring Garden House sessions, lunches at Café Nhan, and lengthy discussions of many things musical and extra-musical. The group began specifically honing in on a trio language around the Winter of 2020 and started meeting for frequent sessions. In March of 2021, this recording was engineered in North Philly by Jared Radichel, and mixed/mastered by Nathan Corder. Outside of the group, Borden, McKain and Suarez all work in a wide spectrum of sound environments, but collectively approach The Relatives as a focused improvising unit, simultaneously digesting and emitting particles of influence and musical syntax.
1. Cult Numbers
2. Richard Roundtree
T.J. Borden - Cello
James McKain - Tenor Saxophone
Leo Suarez - Drums
Recorded by Jared Radichel, March of 2021 in Philadelphia.
Mixed and Mastered by Nathan Corder.
Artwork by Matthew Adis.
