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The Chronicle Review Corner

Lance Hulme is professor at North Carolina Central University, where he directs the music theory and composition programme, and has written page-turners such as “Basic training in music skills music theory manual” and the “Basic training in music skills analysis workbook”…his music is full of life and organic. It’s fun.

Hulme is a modern composer but his music is mostly rooted in a more traditional sound — so nothing intimidating — but it’s as jumpy as a bunch of frogs on a hotplate. The music is lively and never stops changing; it’s a bit like prog rock.

It’s enjoyable though, good music for waking up to, possibly because a lot appears to have been written for an audience that might include students, who get easily bored.

All you need to know is that one track is called “Wildcat” and was written for the Wildcat 9 Saxophone Orchestra. You feel like everyone had a lot of fun making this music, from the composer down to the Popocatepetl Percussion Duo.

There are too many tracks to go through, but “Sirens’ Song” is one of the more traditional, a symphony in three continuous sections and harking back to the dramatic 19th century; more of a sound texture than big, catchy, tunes but a CD opener with gravitas.

“Wildcat” is about an all- wood rollercoaster — at one time the tallest in the world — in Youngstown, Ohio, and reflects the motion, joy and excitement of the ride.

“JethroZen” blends Jethro Tull (think Ian Anderson’s quieter solo efforts) with electric guitar; “My heart sunk a little when (I was asked) to write a piece for solo flute,” writes Hulme, and, having had to review some modern solo flute albums, I sympathise.

Elsewhere, the music touches on jazz, folk and vibraphone. “Caritas Abundat: Setting the Diamond” is not the best but worth a mention as its spooky medieval singing was perhaps the least expected.

It’s that best of things, an interesting album, with lots going on. The bits you don’t like in this array of soundscapes just don’t matter, as something totally different will be along shortly.

This is out on Métier, MEX 77212.