Liberty Ellman - Ophiuchus Butterfly

“The music of the guitarist and composer Liberty Ellman is complex, meticulous and challenging. But it’s also groovy, contemporary and sleek.”
— Nate Chinen, New York Times

“Ophiuchus Butterfly finds Ellman digging deeper into eccentric and progressive territories with a sextet of like-minded artists with distinct voices.”
— Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz

“Each of these tunes is smoothly executed, evoking the image of a jagged but sharp, clean knife slicing through a five layer cake.”
— Sam Prestiani, Jazziz

Guitarist/composer Liberty Ellman’s second Pi recording as a leader, Ophiuchus Butterfly, is an initially striking and ultimately deeply satisfying set chronicling six musicians, ten pieces and one ambitious, personal and utterly mature sensibility. Ellman’s guitar ability and style are undeniable here, but this isn’t a “guitar” album.

“I’m interested in making a solid album from start to finish with regards to the writing, ensemble and the quality of the recording. It’s more than just a document of the moment in this case. To me, guitar chops are only a piece of the puzzle. However many guitar solos fit into the larger scheme is just determined by what the music requires.”

The music, in any case, is remarkable. Whether its the tight ensemble playing, rigorous writing, dazzling counterpoint and dauntingly propulsive no, make that just plain funky grooves of “Tarmacadam”, or “Ophiuchus Butterfly”, the rich, eerie harmonies of the postmodern blues ballad “Aestivation”, or the electronic/acoustic hybrid sound experiments of “Snow Lips” or “Borealis”, this are bracingly original, detailed compositions performed by a sextet that’s more than equal to their technical and emotional demands.