* Janel Leppin - cello, CP-70 *Larry Ferguson - drums * Anthony Pirog - guitar * Brian Settles - tenor saxophone * Luke Stewart - bass * A composer and cellist who's honed a singular synthesis of composition, orchestration and improvisation, while heavily involved for decades with Washington D.C.'s vibrant new music, jazz, rock and improvised music scenes, Janel Leppin releases the third album by her acclaimed Ensemble Volcanic Ash. The five-piece group melds an illustrious array of D.C. talent into a glimmering expressive organism that surges, expands, ebbs and dances in multiple directions at once. "Cinematic. Unrelenting. Brash. Tender. These are just a few terms that might help capture the majesty and mystique of... cellist Janel Leppin's Ensemble Volcanic Ash." - Capital Bop - Mike Johnson is the long time leader, composer and guitarist of the legendary US avant/progressive outfit THINKING PLAGUE, originally formed in 1982. Appearing with a number of alumni of 'the Plague', including vocalist Elaine diFalco and reedman Mark Harris included in the 'band', and also featuring a string and brass section, this very much has the musically dense and lyrically very dark Thinking Plague sound that Mike has always delivered! "... some of the most rhythmically complex, texturally inventive, and melodically challenging popular music of the last 30 years, and somehow makes it all sound easy and natural." - All Music Guide - "Thinking Plague are exciting and ridiculous in equal measure, as good Prog rock should be." - Wire

* Janel Leppin - cello, guitar, bass, Prophet-5, piano - "Janel Leppin is one of the most restlessly creative forces in 21st century jazz and rock." - AllMusic - Cellist, composer and improvisor Janel Leppin has performed and / or recorded with a huge number of artists, including the Sun Ra Arkestra, Eyvind Kang, Susan Alcorn, Priests and Marissa Nadler and leads her acclaimed group Ensemble Volcanic Ash. Slowly Melting is a solo album of deep possibilities and deeper results, featuring the cello.