Ashes – Ashley Ballat

Immediately upon listening, it is clear that Ashes—the second studio album by trumpeter and composer Ashley Ballat—is a record with a vision. Featuring a sublime soundscape of acoustic and electronic sounds, and layer upon layer of rich sonic tapestries, Ashes is a coherent aesthetic as much as it is a collection of music. Ballat’s soul-stirring melodies ring out powerfully on tracks like One, never losing interest as the song ebbs and flows between controlled chaos and peaceful repose.