Tommy Embrich Gives Us A Musical Experience On His Sophomore Album, “Cypress Dreams”
By: Chris Buxton IG: @chrisbuxtonllg
In today’s music industry, it is very rare that I come across an artist that stands the test of time. Although I can blame it oversaturation, I feel as if artists aren’t connecting to the listeners like they used to. Growing up, hearing a new song from your favorite artist was euphoric and it served as a timestamp to one of the best moments of your life. When it came to the music, the songs and albums were pure and there were no shortcuts taken. From the sonics to the vocals, music was alive and well. Though I sometimes get lost in the blandness and plastic sound of today’s industry, there are a few artists that are still releasing groundbreaking music. This week, I came across a talented artist named Tommy Embrich.
Hailing from my home state of South Carolina, Tommy Embrich is a freelancing percussionist, composer, and educator that resides in Greenville. He is raw, daring, and his music is captivating. As an experienced jazz drummer, he is fluent in a variety of genres and styles. He has performed as a drum set player with numerous jazz ensembles including the Schwob Jazz Orchestra, SIU Jazz Orchestra, Schwob Jazz Sextet/Quintet/Quartet, ColaJazz, SIU Jazz Combos, Cavaliers Orchestra, Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and other independent collectives. To add to his resume, he has performed with notable musicians including Charles McPherson, Dave Eggar, Head East, Andrea Giuffredi, Mike Williams, Amos Hoffman, Mark Rapp, Robert Gardiner, Calvin Edwards, Phillip Whack, Sam Skelton, Tito Carrillo, Kevin Whalen, Richard Kelley, Issac Lausell, Philip Brown, Bob Allison, among others. Tommy has the keen ear for sound, and he creates music that is equally dynamic and entertaining. After impressing me with his album “Euneirophrenia”, I knew he had that “IT” factor. Now, he debuts on our pages with his latest project “Cypress Dreams”.
“Cypress Dreams” is an 8-track masterpiece full of rich sounds and exceptional arrangement. In my opinion, this is Tommy’s magnum opus, and this music will live on for years to come. Personally, I loved that the performance, recording, mixing/mastering, artwork, and distribution was all done in-house. The innovative project was inspired by a son who was born from the ancient roots of a Cypress tree, and lives within his own dreams. Embrich’s ability to take the sounds of the world and incorporate them in his music makes him a true talent.
My favorite songs were “Sun Dogs”, “Wading”, & “Timber Timbre”. Overall, this was one of my favorite albums of the year. With that being said, stream it below and vibe out!
