Wayne Horvitz The President
Miracle Mile

Wayne Horvitz, a musician of excellent value and compositional capacity, is accompanied in this excellent 1992 album (Elektra) by an ambitious lineup of musicians known as The President. It is therefore essential not to omit mentioning the instrumentalists present in this recording. In addition to Horvitz (keyboards, amplified piano, harmonica), there are S. Cutler (guitar), K. Driscoll (electric bass), B. Previte (drums), and D. Wieselman (tenor sax, clarinet). Additionally, as featured musicians, there are also the great B. Frisell (guitar), D. Goodhew (saxophones), E. Sharp (guitar), B. Steele (guitar, controlled sampler).

The CD consists of eight tracks for a total of about 48 minutes. Before describing some tracks, I would like to highlight the excellent musical work of the amplified piano that lends the entire album refinement and calmness, though there are also some very nervous and syncopated instrumental passages. Personally, I can also hear some slight progressive musical hints in this album. At times, the music appears slightly obsessive to the listener, but almost never annoying or insinuating. "Variations on a Theme by W. C. Handy" is a track that at times is mocking and at certain moments seems to come from a very distant musical past. The excellent clarinet inserts make this piece particularly elegant, suitable for demanding listeners. Also of considerable artistic depth is "I'm Downstairs", which assumes vaguely oriental sound tones. "Shuffle" has an intriguing introduction of amplified piano with excellent guitar and wind passages. A rather rhythmic and catchy piece, undoubtedly (in my opinion) a small gem. "Yuba City" is extremely original and has an extraordinary expressive charge, and initially, it might be suitable as a soundtrack for some strange film. Frisell's guitar, with its brief "piercing" touches, is fascinating and indescribable. The piece continues with a long and very powerful collective improvisation. Only towards the end does the music "fade" slightly, showing an enviable instrumental class. "An Open Letter to George Bush" always highlights Horvitz's wonderful piano, which almost seems capable of making it "speak" while he plays it. Delicate and fascinating, "Miracle Mile", the title track, worthily concludes this album. A powerful and confident piece in its sound with an agile and convincing drum section.

The seemingly almost "muted" start of this album actually reveals musicians endowed with great creative and compositional energy. The entire work is pervaded by an enigmatic atmosphere that at times becomes delicate and diffuse and at other times appears unsettling, especially due to the presence of the guitars and the wind section. An album recommended only for listeners of original and avant-garde music that still today, despite many years having passed, remains interesting and up-to-date. Certainly, for this music, in particular, multiple listens are necessary to fully appreciate its instrumental and expressive value. The cover is also noteworthy, even though it is rather alarming. The inside of the booklet reproduces the same image as the cover, but with an effective enlargement, as if to emphasize the very dangerous meaning of the illustration.