November 13, 2026 marks the arrival of Loop8/9, the latest in a continuing series of Loop releases by Greyfade pianist-composer Phillip Golub. In a process that began in 2022, Loop8/9 now extends Golub’s work in alternate tuning with two new pieces. One piece incorporates quarter tones and the other just intonation. Golub’s harmonic structures become the foundation and formal framework for ensemble interpretation. The result is a satisfying combination of pitch, harmony and balance as expressed in Golub’s original tuning designs.

The musicians heard on this album are Phillip Golub, microtonal piano/keyboard, Joseph Branciforte, electronics & synthesizer, Aaron Edgcomb, vibraphone and Ty Citerman, electric guitar. This ensemble represents a long-term collaboration that brings Loop8/9 masterfully out of the studio and onto the live stage. The premiere performance was at St. Michael’s Church on W 99th Street in New York on September 25, 2026. The sound engineering on these recordings by Joseph Branciforte is excellent, providing a pleasing sonic wash that perfectly supports the unique harmonic structures.

The album consists of two tracks, each about 21 minutes long. “Loop 8”, the first track, is built around a pattern of fourteen quarter tones. This opens quietly with slow, dreamy notes from the returned piano. The piece proceeds in a series of unhurried chords framed by kindred harmonies from the accompanying instruments. Piano tones dominate at the top of the texture, with an occasional slightly anxious feel. The lower tones in the chord from the synthesizer seem to quiver below the top line. Accompanying instrumental tones are mostly warm and welcoming, providing a contextual framework for the less conventional pitches heard in the piano.

Overall, the leisurely pace of this piece creates a thoughtful and reflective sensibility, giving the listener time to savor the tonal relationships in the chords. All of the unusual pitches fit precisely into the chords and summon intriguing feelings. There is nothing alien or grating to the ear. A well-designed harmonic architecture carries this piece and it flows gently along without need of a strong rhythmic structure. “Loop 8” is an altogether restful and meditative experience.

“Loop 9” follows in similar fashion, this time incorporating just intonation tuning. It also proceeds with quietly deliberate chords. The alternate tuning here feels more pronounced, with a low synthesizer and accompanying sounds in support underneath the keyboard. A logical progression is followed from “Loop 8” to “Loop 9” with more unconventional chords and an increase of the presence of alternately tuned notes. Still, “Loop 9” remains well within range of listener accessibility – the pitches seem to naturally flow from the chords and are friendly to the ear. The deliberate pace of both pieces allow the listener to process the unusual pitches and place them in the context of the underlying chords. The result is soothing and comfortable, not active or irritating.

The technical effort to realize Loop8/9 was considerable. Golub’s alternate tuning designs were painstakingly implemented on the acoustic instruments of the ensemble. The grand piano heard here was re-tuned before each take. The pitches on the vibraphone were adjusted with small pieces of putty on the aluminum bars and no less than three synthesizer voices were used to guide improvisation inside the specified harmonies. All of these efforts have paid off handsomely in the hearing.

With alternate tuning becoming more prominent in new music, Golub has successfully demonstrated an effective harmonic vocabulary with Loop8/9 that gives a wider appreciation of the artistic possibilities.

Loop8/9 is available for digital download at Bandcamp.