Our obsession with Klein & Jamison seems to grow with every listen. We first featured the creative duo for their multi-platform experience, Eight Paintings for Piano, and more recently, their transcendental and dimensional opus, Klein and Jamison Sonatas for Alto Saxophone and Piano, so when we heard that the creators had released an EP titled, Sailing Symphony – on Christmas Day, no less – we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Enticing us with a dramatic and cinematic strings arrangement, Sailing Symphony opens with flair, intricacy and a track titled I. Sailaway. We are immediately transported with a grandiose and evocative energy, laced with astral nuances and breathtaking performances.
The composition ebbs and flows, lending itself to a timeless vibe, reminding us of the drama of Modest Mussorgsky. The crescendos are thrilling and hair-raising with a fantastical energy interwoven throughout.
We appreciate the full circle nature of the opener, which leads us onto II. Doldrums which fits cohesively with its predecessor, tapping into a more meditative state at first. We learn that Jim Klein and Ian Jamison composed the Sailing Symphony in memory of the late Waddy Garrett, Klein’s close friend and business mentor, who was an Annapolis Naval Academy graduate and lifelong sailor.
There is a melancholic edge that resonates with us, and the overarching mood is both soul-stirring and emotionally charged. Next up is III. Storm, which opens with a brighter nuance, although we anticipate that this is the calm before the inevitable chaos that ensues!
What is incredible about Klein & Jamison is their ability to bring to life the timelessness of music for a new era. The compositions are simply out of this world, reminding us of the true roots of classical music and its ability to evoke passion and awe.
Finally, we are met with IV. Ahoy which sets off optimistically, with a monumental frequency, engaging the cinematic nature that we have come to connect with so deeply from the record as a whole.
The performances on Sailing Symphony showcase nothing short of instrumental genius – a mesmerizing display of virtuosity and emotional depth. From the very first note, the ensemble’s impeccable technique is captivating – creating an immediate sense of anticipation and intrigue.
The symphony’s dramatic arc was expertly crafted with moments of tension and release, cementing the creative pair’s palpable connection with the transformative power of music. Jim Klein and Ian Jamison, who are based in Colorado and Arizona, have been collaborating since 2018, and this long term connection is tangible in the excellence of their output.
We have added I. Sailaway and III. Storm to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our brand new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to immerse ourselves in Jim Klein and Ian Jamison‘s wider discographies.