“Safe Harbor is a monumental statement from this vital vocal ensemble and clearly deserving of recognition.”

Many thanks to Textura.org for taking the time to review “Safe Harbor” by Resonance Ensemble!

“On the double-album release Safe Harbor, the innovative Portland-based choral outfit Resonance Ensemble performs twelve world-premiere commissions that capture the challenging times we live in and explore issues of race, sanctuary, resilience, and hope. Presented in two sections, REflect, which meditates on histories, and REimagine, which invites listeners to imagine a world of safety, inclusion, and connection, the recording aspires to be transformative and meets that goal. The works confront head-on real-world matters such as the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the dangers young Black men encounter in their dealings with the authorities. Whereas the titular work by Joe Kye grapples with another pressing issue, the immigrant experience and the ongoing humanitarian crises at our borders, the live rendition of Mari Esabel Valverde's We Hold Your Names Sacred honours the memory of transwomen of colour who've lost their lives. It's impossible to hear Safe Harbor and not be affected.”

Read the whole review at textura.org.