By Eric Alper
Toronto-based a cappella ensemble Countermeasure embraces a broad range of original songs and covers, that highlight the breadth and capabilities of the human voice.
Led by award-winning composer and arranger Aaron Jensen, the group displays unaccompanied singing at its best, incorporating innovative live looping, vocal percussion and instrument sounds made by the voice.
Countermeasure goes beyond experimentation into the realm of the otherworldly, in songs like London Bells – the melody of which recalls Seal’s Kiss from a Rose, but includes beatboxing by vocal percussionist and business manager J-M Erlendson.
Train the A Take, a concept piece by Jensen, playfully adapted from the jazz standard Take the A-Train, plays out as if a recording of the song was dissected into hundreds of tiny pieces, then sampled and re-combined to create a soundscape replicating the sounds of a steam train. The piece is reminiscent of Phillip Glass’ works, with simple, driving, clean-line repetition. At various points, the aspirant train noises take on a quality of Inuit throat-singing.
Countermeasure recently released its latest album Made to Measure
In songs like Bruce Cockburn’s Lovers in a Dangerous Time, Jensen’s arrangement re-contextualizes it with Middle Eastern inspiration as the singers imitate instruments such as the qanun, the riq, the jawzah, the jahlah and the mijwiz.
The Fox in the Field, a heart-felt choral ballad, drawing from text of the classic book The Little Prince, captivates with fascinating vocal landscapes.
The group obviously has a lot of fun, too. A Beatles medley under the umbrella of I Saw Her Standing There throws in everything but the kitchen sink. It ends with a mashup of Help and Here Comes the Sun plus a layered breakdown, which includes nods to Happiness is a Warm Gun, and Why Don’t We Do It In The Road. The piece features Arun Devdas and Laura Bailey, and takes the listener on a journey through pop, big-band jazz, dubstep and back again.
Countermeasure turns the old jazz standard I’ve Got You Under My Skin on its ear. You’d think there couldn’t possibly be anything new to bring to this tune, but they completely make it their own. Showcasing soloist Qwyn MacLachlan, the song opens with beatboxing and soulful vocals, employing funk sounds inspired by artists such as James Brown, Curtis Mayfield and Tower of Power, then quickly transitions into a gospel section, and ultimately reaches its apex in a psychedelic jungle groove.
Countermeasure A Cappella performs at Malaspina Theatre Tuesday (March 14) at 7 p.m. The concert is being presented by Nanaimo-Ladysmith Public Schools.
Tickets are $20 or $5 for students available in advance by calling 250-754-8550 or by visiting www.porttheatre.com.
Eric Alper is a publicist with That Eric Alper a media and public relations service.