Kathleen Russo is a composer and lyricist part of the independent music scene in New York in the 1970s when she wrote quite a few songs. After a twenty-year hiatus that was spent with family and a career, she has returned to releasing music since 2023. This story goes to show that time is an illusion and is inspiring for anyone who loves making music. Her 2024 single “Dance of Redemption” is a joyful piece of instrumental music.

The track has deep, urgent and rhythmic keys as its backbone that keeps the entire track alive and groovy throughout. This is immediately layered with brighter keys. The percussion is husky and builds up to hit harder over the course of the single. Structurally the song plays in a loop, letting different instruments take over the melody each time, all the while feeling like it is building up to a grand climax, which it does before quickly winding down. The bowed strings, anthemic horns and synth progressively take their turn in the spotlight making it feel like a musical relay.

Music sounds very different today compared to the 1970s given that music making technology has shifted drastically. However, I liked that Kathleen Russo and her music production retain the sonic essence of older music. It is an intentional homage to the era in my opinion. It also serves to reinforce her identity and claim that music as an inherent part of who she is.

The three-minute track feels like a nursery rhyme combined with a Russian song one can folk dance to. I recommend you check out “Dance of Redemption” by Kathleen Russo!