Ruta Di: ‘Onwards & Upwards’

Composer, guitarist Ruta Di launches ‘Onwards & Upwards’ in London on 24 October and she’s put together a collection of compositions that expresses much, often in in vocalising without words.

The brief opening track - Auguries of Innocence - features fragments from the William Blake poem with Ruta and drummer Finn Genockey responding to the words. From these opening moments, it is clear that this is a voice-driven collection of tunes and the opening of Song for My Grandmother, where the vocal melody says more about loss than words could. This tune in particular features a delicious arrangement where the full sound of horns balances with the voice and more delicate guitar lines.

Across this positive album, Ruta’s voice and guitar work well with her collection of musicians - Jakub Cywinski (double bass), Giovanni Crescenzi (bass guitar), Finn Genockey (drums), Alan Short (flute, alto sax), Duncan Eagles (tenor sax) and Leo Richardson (baritone sax).

On the cover of Stevie Wonder’s Too High, Di uses sutartinės-inspired vocal textures and  harmonies to connect Lithuanian folk traditions with the original music. Similarly on the final, title track, she evokes something of faith and hope in the guitar melody and groove that bring in the band and voice. Everything about this album leads to this ending, leaving us with a sense of musical positivity.

‘Onwards & Upwards’ is available on Bandcamp