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The Once and Future Herds is the trio of Glenn Donaldson, Loren Chasse, and Donovan Quinn, in other words both Blithe Sons as well as both Skygreen Leopards (Donaldson being the shared partner). Being under this less frequently used band name, this Jewelled Antler release may have passed you by, but it's one of the collective's strongest recordings if you like blissful ragas and beautiful and intricate pickwork. The 18 minute EP opens with a soft, slow clarinet melody in the 50 second "Locust Parade" before picking up the pace in "Ranch Raga," which is dominated by guitar and meditative humming. The guitar is picked at a quick tempo, giving the song a joyful, upbeat feel. The other two members add texture and percussion, whether that's a rattling of God-knows-what, a percussive couple of thumps on a xylophone, or strained notes on a flute. After the song quiets down at about the five minute mark, the flute rises up and dominates the rest of the song while more hummed vocals, chimes, and sitar-like bending tones fill the space. "Who Will Weep For the Sparrow" is a call and response between voice, picked guitar, and bowed strings that adds a more somber note in between the blitheness. The guitar picks up again at the beginning of "Wild Blue Air," this time sounding very lyrical and "rock" with its forceful strums. Bangs on a tinny toy xylophone accent the sweeping guitar strums, foretelling the end of the song when that instrument takes over as lead melody. "New Hills" ends the EP with a forceful stomp, the guitar chugging along playing a very memorable riff. Moaning, both from strings and voice, fill the space, as the xylophone intertwines itself around the guitar. This is the sort of great interplay between musicians that you only get from those who have worked together for extended periods of time.

Once and Future Herds at Amazon & Insound