FORWARD MUSIC PROJECT 1.0 | NY Times | July 2020

“The cellist Amanda Gookin has had some experience shepherding new works into the classical repertory. PUBLIQuartet, a group that Gookin co-founded, co-commissioned a piece by Jessica Meyer for its Grammy-nominated 2019 recording, “Freedom & Faith.” Gookin’s latest album — “Forward Music Project 1.0,” which comes out on Friday — adds to that momentum by presenting listeners with a fresh slate of compositions.

This initial offering in Gookin’s planned series commences in high style, courtesy of the composer and multi-instrumentalist Nathalie Joachim’s track “Dwam Mwen Yo.” As with Joachim’s 2019 set, “Fanm d’Ayiti,” this opus draws energy and inspiration from the composer’s Haitian heritage. By merging Gookin’s live playing with recorded vocals, Joachim crafts what she describes as a “tribute to the Haitian women in my life who were central to my upbringing and continue to empower my own sense of womanhood.”

While Joachim observes, in the album’s liner notes, that the melody here is somber, you can also hear the communal joy embedded in a music of cooperation. When the finely latticed vocals overlap, creating a new depth of harmony, the sense of mutual support resounds clearly. And when the backing track sketches a new rhythmic pulse — one that in turn influences the part for Gookin’s cello — the joy of transmitting knowledge is perceptible.”

SETH COLTER WALLS - NY TIMES (July 2020)