A genre-blurring blend of chamber jazz, modular synthesis, and cinematic composition, the album captures Rankin’s reflections on life living beside the Los Angeles River, particularly the Glendale Narrows — one of the few areas where the river still flows freely amid the city’s concrete sprawl.
"The album is a reflection on both the wonder that is the Los Angeles River, and how having access to such a space allows access for our thoughts to blossom." –Philip Rankin.
Rankin, known for his expansive musical vocabulary and creative voice under the alias oneL, returns to acoustic ensemble writing with a renewed sensitivity and sense of place.
Featuring:
Philip Rankin – Piano, Modular Synth, Field Recordings, Compositions
Andrew Conrad – Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Yvette Holdsworth – Violin
Greg Zilboorg – Trumpet
David Tranchina – Bass
Trevor Anderies – Drums
Wild With Life blends layered harmonies, expressive improvisations, and immersive soundscapes to capture the dual experience of being beside the Los Angeles River—both the contrast of nature within an urban landscape and the depth of thought inspired by its solitude. Co-produced by Rob Shelton (aka Bobby Kalamino), the album weaves together atmospheric field recordings, Rankin’s signature use of modular synthesis, and his distinctive compositional style. The intricate interplay of the band—blending jazz improvisation with the precision and intimacy of chamber music—infuses each piece with Rankin’s unique, reflective approach to melody and structure. The result is a sonic journey that reflects the river’s impermanence—its cycles of near-drought and flooding—while echoing the resilience of life that persists in the face of a channelized, urbanized floodplain. This is a space where beauty and chaos coexist, creating a unique experience of serenity amidst the hum of city life and the constant rush of the freeway.
L-R: Andrew Conrad, Trevor Anderies, Yvette Holdsworth, David Tranchina, Philip Rankin, Greg Zilboorg