[INSIDE] – Scott Routenberg

Award-winning, critically acclaimed composer presents an awe-inspiring musical journey!

All Compositions by Scott Routenberg

Scott Routenberg, keyboards, programming, vocals

Sofia Kraevska, vocals

Howard Levy, harmonica, bamboo flutes and pennywhistle

Phil Doyle, tenor sax

Chris Whiteman, acoustic guitar

Jonathan Raveneau, violin

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“[Inside]” is the musical product of Routenberg’s months-long quarantine during the pandemic of 2020.

“I often longed to get out of the house and explore the world as it once was,” he notes.  “This desire led me to create vivid soundscapes that fulfilled those dreams, all from the seclusion of my home studio.”

As the musical journey unfolds, a gradual shift from light to dark mirrors the awe-inspiring trials and tribulations of these strange days.

“Introduction (Enter)” sets the stage for an all-embracing musical adventure that draws upon Scott’s experience as a jazz pianist, orchestral composer, and electro-acoustic programmer. “Light Smasher” exudes energy and color, synthesizing a love of electronic music, drum and bass, the symphony orchestra, and modern jazz fusion and improvisation.  Five-petaled flowers can be described as “Pentamerous”; a beautiful garden.  On May 7, 2020, the world experienced a “Flower Moon” (May’s Supermoon) at the height of the pandemic and quarantine. Here, the listener takes a journey across the globe.  “Hidden Stars” provides swirling, sparkling polyrhythms and warm string swells.  “Home Sweet Home” features harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy on a rollicking trip through the sounds of Americana. Jonathan Raveneau burns on the fiddle, and Chris Whiteman guests on acoustic guitar.  “Native Land” was inspired after seeing the Native American protests at Mount Rushmore this past July. Guest artist Howard Levy gives an unforgettable performance once again–this time on various flutes and whistles.  July is the peak of Indiana firefly activity – “Fireflies” gave nightly shows.  2020 has been relentlessly apocalyptic, a reality depicted in “Days of Wrath”.  The album closes with an introspective, slightly dissonant lullaby titled “The Day We Went Away”. The track opens with the sounds of gentle raindrops on the window sill and a steady distant chorus of tree frogs and crickets–the sounds of nature amplified when people suddenly left the landscape.

REVIEW:

A charming pandemic inspired date by a cat that just wanted to get out of the house again. He had to stay inside and was only able to get out in his mind so the inspirations here are impressions of what he wanted to encounter again. A fine display of the power of the mind, it’s easily relatable, out of the ordinary instrumental music that has a nice kick to it. Check it out.

-MIDWEST RECORD

REVIEW:

Keyboardist and composer Scott Routenberg creates some artsy moods that mix indie rock with small group jazz. He uses programming as a rhythm section, prancing on “Light Smasher” and dancing on the electric “Flower Moon”. Sofia Kraevska adds voice in an intriguing fashion, dreamy on “Introduction” and lyrical for the bohemian “Penamerous” and floating over the synths on “Hidden Star”. Guitarist Chris Whiteman and harmonica player Howard Levy give a folksy yet edgy Nashville environment of “Home Sweet Home” along with some violin from Jonathan Reveneau, while Levy’s flutes team give a reminiscence of Windham Hill “New Age” sounds on the Monument Valley’d “Native Land”.

Routenberg is most lyrical with tenor saxist Phil Doyle for the melancholic “The Day We Went Away” and most shadow’d on the film noir toned “Meltdown” with echoes of a chase scene. Beat scene beats.

-Jazz Weekly

REVIEW:

Pianist and composer Scott Routenberg created the music of his new album, (Inside), while stuck inside during the pandemic. (Sometimes it seems we speak of the pandemic as if it is a thing of the past, when really it is only getting worse.) Much of the music on this album explores different worlds and realms, for in general we are doing most of our traveling these days in our minds, in our hearts, in our dreams. This music should aid you in your travels, opening intriguing landscapes for you. Some of the tracks remain closer to home, a place that people have either come to appreciate more than ever or loathe more than ever. This music is firmly in the more positive category. In fact, one of my favorite tracks is titled “Home Sweet Home,” a track that begins sweetly and then bursts joyfully to another level, featuring excellent work on both violin and harmonica. And check out the excitement of “Meltdown,” something I’m sure we can all relate to. The album closes on a mellower number, “The Day We Went Away,” an introspective piece featuring some wonderful work on saxophone. Joining keyboardist Scott Routenberg on this release are Sofia Kraevska on vocals; Chris Whiteman on acoustic guitar; Howard Levy on harmonica, bamboo flute, and pennywhistle; Jonathan Raveneau on violin; and Phil Doyle on tenor saxophone.

-Michale Doherty’s Music Log