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Rena Jones
Driftwood

Native State Records

Posted: Friday, November 10, 2006
By: Charity VanDeberg
Concert Editor

Gorgeous and so completely alive, Driftwood is a triumph in electronic and classical instrument fusion. String instruments such as violins and cellos are often used in gothic and electronic music as an auditory focus, carrying the tune while backed by abstract melodies and heavy beats, abusing the instruments to force a traditional sound or mood. But San Francisco's multi-talented Rena Jones did something decidedly different when she integrated them into the very soul of every composition. Sometimes as expressive as a voice, the cello will waver above the electronic beats, fluttering and flying as if on a soft breeze. At other times, keyboard loops will tell a story while the violin carries the rhythm like vibrations in a deep pool. Jones calls her musical style "down-tempo sounds from another dimension" and she couldn't be more right. These sounds come from a place where down-tempo doesn't mean sleepy or morose, but can create dreamscapes so vivid that they practically replace the reality that surrounds you. The stimulating "Undercurrent" has a life all its own, toying with the listener and seducing one to come out and play. "The Passing Storm" features a subtle cello duet that hints at gentle longing, while "Seedling" practically illustrates the time-lapse of a budding plant or thought or emotion. And these are only a few of the amazing offerings on Driftwood. Subtle and never over the top, Jones maintains a beautiful mellow vibe that in no way feels forced. You may never look at classical instruments the same again.