Composer Ube Palomino captures the imaginative freedom of instrumental expression, with the uniquely evocative, intimate to cinematic arrangements of The Hinterlands Suite.
As an introduction to the style, Untrodden begins with a stripped-back piano and string progression, which soothes the mood in itself and presents a welcomed twist of originality to the space. As things evolve, however, Untrodden becomes a whole new realm of excitement and multi-layered fullness – we tiptoe through quietness and uncertainty, before running through dramatic and energised new territories. It’s a fiercely engaging start, to what proves a consistently interesting and impressive musical venture.
Quietness embraces again, with long-form piano melodies carefully connecting us to the idea and image of Babbling Brooks. Then we enter a rise and fall arena of distinct melody and mood, for the brilliantly playful Fork In The Road.
Stylistically the instrumental set-up veers down a fresh pathway for The Hall Of Mosses. Quickly plucked strings build a sort of intimate, fireside performance, increasing its pace though, to slowly become enhanced by these additional tribal rhythms and notes for a world-music-infused composition. An addictive and energising listen yet again, but in a completely different way to the opener.
For the penultimate track of The Hinterlands Suite, Nightfall presents a boldly theatrical intertwining of various dramatic hits and descending plus rising melodies that cascade and collide intensely. It’s a complex and finely structured work, with gripping moments of solitude heavily juxtaposed by those of utter overwhelm and busyness. Then we shift into a more storytelling sense of haunting intrigue, an extended mid-section creatively varied yet in tune with the story and scenes at hand.
Rekindled is the closing track, adding further dynamic and versatility to complete the experience in a way that leaves you keen to replay it in full. Simple piano, back and forth movement, calmness and hope all at once. This feels more like a mainstream ballad of sorts, but it’s delivered with a certain delicacy and prestige, which naturally intoxicates and soothes the mood of the room. A wonderfully gentle, unexpected yet fitting end, to the fascinating and limitlessly creative journey of The Hinterlands Suite.
Ube Palomino is defiantly a composer and artist worth knowing about – a gem of our generation with a free yet precise and purposeful approach to instrumental neo-classical design.
Find The Hinterlands Suite on Apple. Follow Ube Palomino on IG or visit his Website.
