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"So, first things first. CD cover art is well designed and attractive, which makes it quite inviting. 'Canadian music for trombone' is not a genre I am well versed in so I began listening to this selection of music with quite an open mind.

"The first piece presented is Dialogues, a piece in five movements for trombone and percussion by Thomas Schudel. Each movement is a discussion between the trombone and percussionist, and all have their own very individual character. A really interesting range of sounds is achieved here.

"Next we move on to the appropriately named Sorensen Variations for solo trombone and string quartet by Scott Good. This is a set of four variations, the first stating the theme in a timeless and melancholy manner before quickly building to a climax. Good uses the timbres of the trombone and string instruments to great effect, complementing each other all the way through. The second variation feels like a disjunct dance and adds good contrast to the following third variation, which is much slower and tenser. The final Vivace builds and builds towards a final romp to the end.

"The penultimate work is Paul Théberge's Jomo for trombone, percussion and prepared tape, the title referring to the first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta. This track is where the CD gets its main title from – Harambee. This was a word used by Mombasa boatmen and means 'pull together'. Théberge expertly uses the instruments in different groups and with many different extended techniques to portray the theme of the work.

"The CD concludes with Barbara York's Nordic Suite. Originally commissioned by Tim and Jessica Buzbee, each of the five movements is based on the personality of one of their children. Sorensen and tuba player Jonathan Rowsell, along with pianist Vanessa May-lok Lee, bring out the wonderful characters within the work and really bring it to life. A fantastic and fitting conclusion [to] the CD.

"It's always great to experience something that's enjoyable while also being somewhat innovative and exciting. This is something that trombonist Dale Sorensen's new CD personifies. Not only does he support the works of his own nation, but promotes them in a top-class manner. Well worth a listen!"

- Josh Cirtina

(Reprinted with permission)

"Dale Sorensen has been involved in commissioning, performing and thoughtfully archiving Canadian composers' creative output for the trombone for over 20 years. The CD's title HARAMBEE is a Swahili word meaning 'pull together'. Sorensen and his colleagues do indeed 'pull together' in this well-produced CD of Canadian chamber music.

"Thomas Schudel's Dialogues (1987) for trombone and percussion is a set of five short pieces that thoroughly exploit the available palette of sounds. Close interval trombone multiphonics are executed with ease as are percussion techniques including calling for the vibraphone to be played with both mallets and a bass bow simultaneously. Potentially challenging to record, both artists can be heard clearly.

"Sorensen Variations (2000) was commissioned, naturally, by Sorensen himself. The Ton Beau quartet does excellent work realizing composer and conductor Scott Good's sul tasto and sul ponticello textures in the 18-minute work. Sorensen's singing trombone is a perfect match for the various timbral atmospheres created by the strings.

"Jomo (1979) by Paul Théberge is scored for trombone, percussion, and a prepared tape consisting of electro-acoustic sounds and pre-recorded trombone. Sorensen has ample control of all extended techniques in the work including multiphonics, the plunger mute, and even blowing a conch shell. Percussionist Steven Wassmansdorf weaves ethereal textures with a bevy of European, African, and Indian percussion instruments.

"To close the disc Sorensen has chosen Barbara York's Nordic Suite (2012) for trombone, tuba, and piano. Once again five shorter pieces combine but this time into a narrative suite of Nordic whimsy. The writing here is traditional and favors simple forms allowing two beautiful singing sounds to tell each tale.

"HARAMBEE is a high quality release of particular interest to any trombonist with an interest in contemporary chamber music. Sorensen's many accomplishments in Canadian music are well represented by this recording."

- Neal Bennett (Conservatoire de musique et des arts dramatiques du Québec)

(Reprinted with permission)