For LA <\/em>is\u00a0the musical version of the Hollywood fundraiser that everyone wants to be a part of, and as a result, everybody wins.<\/p>\nThe quality level is once again ridiculous, and we continue to hold out hopes for a boxed set once the final edition is wrapped. \u00a0Vol. 4\u00a0<\/em>begins with a lovely solo piano piece from\u00a0Time Interior<\/strong>; \u201cBeloved\u201d is as tender as a condolence card, a gentle introduction to the set. \u00a0As the piano theme continues, the listener realizes how much the project has expanded from its roots. \u00a0\u201cOcean Breath,\u201d from\u00a0Josef de Schutter (feat. Luca de Schutter)<\/strong> is another tender, reflective piece, leading to\u00a0Rose Riebl<\/strong>\u2018s hopeful yet heartbreaking \u201cSomeone Will Remember Us.\u201d \u00a0This is the calm\u00a0after\u00a0<\/em>the storm, the aftermath, the reassessment and rebuilding. Again we find it worth mentioning that the sequencing of each volume is designed to allow the albums to flow, a rarity in the world of compilations. \u00a0Otto Totland\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Oystein Skar\u00a0<\/strong>keep the ivory energy going, a timbre that will return again and again throughout the set.<\/p>\nWhen\u00a0Hannes Kretzer<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cOutsight\u201d blooms from a bed of synthesizers, the effect is an expansion, like growing awareness, like neighbor helping neighbor. \u00a0Instead of breaking into a dance piece as one might expect, the track adds orchestral drones, producing a sense of drama before a minute-long recession. \u00a0Guitars begin to surface in this new section, providing a sense of peace in From Somewhere Quiet<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cExhale,\u201d whose very title connotes relief. \u00a0A pair of geographically themed pieces, the placid \u201cLake Tahoe\u201d and the playful \u201cSanta Ana,\u201d ground listeners in specific locales, promising better days, while \u201cAshes\u201d and \u201cAnd the Rain Will Fall\u201d are reminders of the Palisades and Eaton fires. \u00a0In Valotihkuu<\/strong>\u2018s piece, showers fall sweetly upon the ears.<\/p>\nThe water flows in\u00a0Lucent<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cWatching, Waiting,\u201d and the birds begin to sing. \u00a0Finally progress is being made. \u00a0Broken hearts are healing, but the scars will forever remain. \u00a0While\u00a0Dear Gravity<\/strong> titles its piece \u201cThis Time, Different,\u201d one can only hope that things will change, that the wake-up call will be heard. \u00a0Between Vol. 3 and Vol. 4<\/em>, Jordan Thomas\u2019 When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World<\/em> was released to national acclaim. \u00a0The memoir documents a year fighting fires as a California Hotshot while tracing the history of fires and firefighting, laying some blame for the recent proliferation of events on climate change and some on harmful environmental practices. \u00a0In short, the author concludes that the Native Americans had it right, and we ignored them. \u00a0One can only hope that the ancient wisdom will resurface, and that the next time will\u00a0<\/em>be different. \u00a0In the meantime, we continue to credit the Kenniffs and all who have contributed over the course of this series to date for addressing the problems and being part of the solution. \u00a0(Richard Allen)<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/a>LA cannot seem to catch a break this year: first wildfires, then deportations, then protests, then troops. \u00a0Curated by Hollie Kenniff <\/strong>and mastered by Taylor Deupree<\/strong>,\u00a0For LA, Vol. 4\u00a0<\/em>continues to address the lingering effects of the first. \u00a0A treasure trove for fans and a fundraiser for We Are Moving the Needle and GiveDirectly, this series is the gift that keeps on giving. \u00a0With so many artists contributing new and unreleased tracks, the fourth volume of 22 offerings raises the total to 110, and we\u2019ve just learned that there will be a fifth edition as well. \u00a0For LA <\/em>is\u00a0the musical version of the Hollywood fundraiser that everyone wants to be a part of, and as a result, everybody wins.<\/p>\n