Colin Stetson - Never Were the Way She Was (LP)

Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld's collaborative album, Never Were the Way She Was, is a masterful blend of experimental jazz and avant-garde sounds. Released on 28 April 2015 by Constellation Records, this eight-track album is the culmination of the duo's unique chemistry, which was first sparked when they met in 2006. The pair had previously worked together on the score for the 2013 film Blue Caprice, and their partnership has resulted in a truly captivating record.

Recorded live in the studio without overdubs or loops, Never Were the Way She Was showcases the duo's ability to create complex, organic soundscapes. The album's tracks, including 'The Sun Roars Into View', 'Won't Be a Thing to Become', and the titular 'Never Were the Way She Was', demonstrate Stetson's signature saxophone playing and Neufeld's innovative violin work. The result is an ecstatic communion of sound, with each piece feeling deeply connected to the others.

With a duration of 42 minutes, the album takes the listener on a journey through a range of emotions and textures. Colin Stetson, known for his powerful approach to the saxophone and bass clarinet, and Sarah Neufeld, an acclaimed solo artist and collaborator, have created something truly special. Never Were the Way She Was has earned numerous accolades, including a Juno Award and a longlisting for the Polaris Prize, and is a testament to the duo's innovative spirit and musical prowess.