Tropos presents Axioms // 75ab on Biophilia Records

Tropos is an ever-morphing collective ensemble of improviser-composers based in New York City led by pianist and composer Phillip Golub. While Tropos’ members shift from project to project, the multiple iterations of Tropos over the years share an ethos. Tropos is characterized by unusual instrumentations that allow for unique improvisational sound worlds to emerge and inspire its members to write in new ways. All members of Tropos compose for the ensemble while they’re in it. Tropos is also a true collective in that its members share the administrative work and financial costs of each project they are involved with. 

Tropos’ debut album, Axioms // 75ab, was released in May 2020 on Biophilia Records. Featuring Phillip Golub (piano), Mario Fabrizio (drums/percussion), Raef Sengupta (alto saxophone), Zach Lavine (bass), and Laila Smith (voice), Axioms // 75ab paired compositions by Golub, Fabrizio, and Sengupta alongside those of Anthony Braxton. Thom Jurek of AllMusic called Axioms // 75ab "an auspicious debut, filled with exhilarating energy, charisma, and a canny ability to transform the complex and even inscrutable into sophisticated yet joyful noise.” Steve Smith selected Axioms as his album of the week in his Night after Night blog and said that “Tropos plays with assurance, charisma, and infectious enthusiasm,” while Phil Freeman wrote “This is their debut, and they’re making a powerful statement” in StereoGum.

The covid-19 pandemic upended plans for further performances of the material of Tropos’ first project. A second Tropos release is slated for spring 2023 on Endectomorph Music. Called Shadow Music, this release features trios and duos with Golub (piano), Fabrizio (drums/percussion), and Smith (voice). Tropos is now developing a new set of music for a quartet formation featuring Yuma Uesaka (clarinets/saxes), Ledah Finck (violin), Aaron Edgcomb (drums/percussion), and Golub (piano).