The Colin Currie Group was established two decades ago to celebrate Steve Reich’s 70th birthday through a performance of his piece, Drumming. This year marks a significant milestone as the renowned American composer reaches the age of 90, coinciding with the release of the group’s fourth album dedicated to Reich, which serves as a double celebration.

The album features the composition Sextet, created in 1985, which includes two keyboardists on piano and synthesizers, accompanied by four percussionists utilizing marimbas, vibraphones, bass drums, crotales, sticks, and tam-tams. The piece is characterized by interlocking rhythms that operate with the precision reminiscent of a Swiss watch, following Reich’s signature structure of alternating fast and slow segments. Currie’s recording captures subtle nuances and adopts a more natural sound that contrasts with the closely mic’d style of Reich’s earlier classic versions.

In the piece Six Marimbas, originally composed in 1973 as Six Pianos, Reich reinterprets the work by allowing two marimbas to fluctuate in volume amidst the steady textures created by the other four instruments. This composition exudes a vibrant spirit, with its woody timbres being particularly pleasing to listeners. Currie’s interpretation is notably relaxed, extending the performance to 22 minutes, compared to Reich’s original 16-minute version, resulting in a more laid-back experience.

The album also includes The Double Sextet, composed in 2007, where six musicians perform alongside a recording of their own playing, showcasing one of Reich’s most entrancing pieces. This rendition is rich with dynamic subtleties. Additionally, Dance Patterns, created for choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker, serves as an appealing supplementary track on the album.