by Jim Brenholts
Compassion is -- quite easily -- Peter Kater's deepest work. It might also be his best. David Darling (cello), Mark Miller (sax and flutes), and Chris White (vocals) support Kater, but his keyboards are also support. The primary and dominant instruments in the sound design are the singing bowls and gongs. The deep overtones of these ancient instruments surround the sweet textures of the acoustics. The subtle electronics enhance the bowls. The gongs punctuate the soundscape with exclamation points. The atmospheres are sedate and somber, yet they breathe new life into the listeners and the environments. Miller's sax recalls David Bulger's contribution to From the Dark Earth by Meg Bowles. This CD will appeal to fans of Bowles, Jonathan Goldman, and Deuter.