Riot Cycle is a series of collaborative compositions and improvisational pieces written and recorded entirely remotely. In March of 2020, having only recently witnessed the potential of our musical bond, we, like the rest of the world, were separated from each other. Over the following year, we found ourselves gathering remotely to reflect, share our inspirations, and encourage one another during an incredibly difficult time.
These meetings were our anchor.
Our conversations inspired composition: Nathan Reising suggested that Dave Adewumi, Neta Raanan, Isaac Levien and himself compose individual pieces under the same restrictions. “Utopia Adjacent” was based on one of Olivier Messiaen’s modes of limited transposition, which Nathan had been experimenting with at the time. In an attempt to break compositional habits and as a substitute for live musical communication, we began to compose collaboratively. One of us would compose a musical sketch, and it would not be finished until Nathan, Dave, Neta, and Isaac had all contributed equally to it. “Axis,” “The Merchant, Tertius,” “Hexagonal Hawk,” and “Riot Cycle Repeats” are the results of this process.
Dave Adewumi suggested that we document our creations in the form of an album, and in September of 2020 we began the process of remote recording. Our intent was to make an album that embraced the circumstances we found ourselves in. We considered the limitations of remote recording carefully, and sought creative ways to use these barriers to our advantage. By recording on our own time we had the opportunity to manipulate and transform every performance.
Ryan Sands was the missing element in our universe. With Ryan on board, we began recording. One at a time. Alone in our rooms.
In the months that followed, Nathan prompted improvisational sketches among the horns, leading to “Blind Contour” and “Negative Space”. Isaac dug deep into a special moment from a pre-pandemic rehearsal, manipulating it into “Meditation”. Neta wrote and recorded the poem featured in “Riot Cycle Repeats,” with Sarah Rossy contributing her voice as well. All arrangements were collaborative.
As members of the band became vaccinated and some semblance of normalcy could be found in New York City, we partnered with Jack Broza on production, mixing, and mastering. Just as Ryan had invigorated Altus, Jack brought an entirely new dimension to our music, giving a live and organic quality to a project otherwise recorded in total isolation.
Riot Cycle is a reflection of our own experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the unlikely first chapter in what promises to be an enduring and prolific musical alliance.
A special thank you to Amir Bar Akiva for his contribution on “Meditation” and for being present for the genesis of this band.
Riot Cycle Repeats
Sunlight ebbs and flows
The glow rolls across the floor
like a breath,
Fills the house with warmth then recedes
Eery sparkle, the same images gleam through the screens
around the house, the town, the nation
The present came chasing out
Clash the crashing cycles present now and future
Ghosts reemerge, chanting for justice
From mouths fly chants, songs of sorrow cross generations
Tragedy rippling through layers of time
The possibility to exist in a brief moment
To bare joy when justice has yet to return homebound
Acidity of sun
Rolling through the moments to afford bliss, despite
Welcomes joy
not as contrast but reaffirms
To anchor purpose
1. Blind Contour 01:04
2. Axis 03:14
3. The Merchant, Tertius 03:47
4. Utopia Adjacent 06:07
5. Negative Space 02:14
6. Hexagonal Hawk 03:40
7. Meditation 03:59
8. Riot Cycle Repeats 05:11
David Adewumi - Trumpet
Isaac Levien - Bass
Neta Raanan - Tenor Saxophone, Voice on Riot Cycle Repeats
Nathan Reising - Alto Saxophone
Ryan Sands - Drums
Sarah Rossy - Voice on Riot Cycle Repeats
Recorded by Everyone at home
Mixed, Mastered, and Produced by Jack Broza
