POWER TOOLS - STRANGE MEETING
Strange Meeting
[5:13]7 Mb
Wolf in Sheeps Clothing
[3:38]4.8 Mb
Wadmalaw Island
[5:08]6.7 Mb
Unscientific Americans
[3:02]3.9 Mb
Howard Beach Memoirs
[5:40]7.4 Mb
When We Go
[4:57]6.4 Mb
The Presidents Nap
[3:56]5 Mb
A Song is not Enough
[3:35]4.5 Mb
Blame and Shame
[5:42]7.9 Mb
Unchained Melody
[5:20]6.7 Mb
Power Tools "Strange Meeting" Album Review
Manhatten Prana Jungle Musiks
This record changed my life. I'm not exaggerating, I was a big fan of Hendrix when I heard this but had not quite made the leap to Coletrane, Ornette, Free Jazz beautiful chaos: this record bridged the gap, opening up music I had been unable to hear before. Kind of like making it through Gravity's Rainbow or Ulyssess and thinking "Now I can read anything!"
This is a true Power Trio in the fullest sense. Yes, Bill Frisell is amazing here, playing with even more raw intensity and sonic fury than with Naked City, this is hardcore shredding, but the superb sense of melody and space that Frisell nearly always displays gives his playing a truly satisfying balance not available elsewhere in my opinion.
And why, you ask, is this such a departure for him? Ronald Shannon Jackson. The man is a force of nature who, left to his own devices, tends to cloud the purity of his rhythm with a sometimes tin ear and a penchant for overblowing arrangements. Melvin Gibbs (who later played bass with the Henry Rollins Band) is absolutely indispensible as well, calling Jackson and raising until the effect is seriously scorching, withering, like standing to close to the fire.
I have always loved the purity of the trio, whether it be rock, jazz, or classical, this record is a brilliant example of the form at its best. If only it would be rereleased, my vinyl copy is wearing out.
JOCELYN ROBERT - PANDORE
TRACK01
[17:42]26.1 Mb
TRACK02
[15:38]22.9 Mb
TRACK03
[12:04]17.5 Mb
TRACK01
[40:13]47.8 Mb
Les Scaphandres 1
[9:15]14.8 Mb
Les Scaphandres 2
[3:57]5.4 Mb
Les Scaphandres 3
[7:13]9.5 Mb
Les Scaphandres 4
[7:16]11.2 Mb
Les Scaphandres 5
[8:06]11 Mb
Les Scaphandres 6
[3:23]5 Mb
TRACK01
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TRACK02
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TRACK03
[2:06]2.4 Mb
TRACK04
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TRACK05
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TRACK06
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TRACK07
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TRACK08
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TRACK09
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TRACK10
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TRACK11
[2:02]2.3 Mb
TRACK12
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TRACK13
[2:06]2.4 Mb
TRACK14
[2:05]2.4 Mb
TRACK15
[2:04]2.4 Mb
TRACK16
[2:03]2.5 Mb
TRACK17
[2:03]2.4 Mb
TRACK18
[2:03]2.3 Mb
TRACK19
[2:03]2.4 Mb
TRACK20
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TRACK21
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TRACK24
[2:03]2.3 Mb
Jocelyn Robert "Pandore" Album Review
Review
Over the last twenty years, the work of Quebecois artist Jocelyn Robert has branched out like a tree, the new directions often being the result of collaborations. The four-disc box set Pandore illustrates the diversity found in his sound universe. This is his first release on Ambiances Magnétiques. The four discs Robert offers here showcase his solo work and highlight the significant contribution made by the artists who have worked with him through the years. Four extremely diverse albums, which, when taken together, sketch the sonic tree growing inside his ears. 6 Drawers 4 Spoons, by SoukSouk, a group made of Jocelyn Robert and Éric Gagnon: Two musicians meet in the studio, question each other and gradually build atmospheres together as they forge a relationship. This album consists of acutely different sequences of music. Robert and Gagnon are serving up a digital/acoustic alloy: they are playing soft guitar melodies, coming up with creative editing and effects, and treating vocals and urban sound samples. Slow Sparks from the Split-Voiced Buddha (AM 141): A solo set derived from ambient sounds recorded by the artist in Lhassa, Tibet. This 40-minute electroacoustic piece features long, interwoven sustained notes that turn out to be the very sounds of the Tibetans. Les Scaphandres with Laetitia Sonami: Working around a text approached as a digital object instead of a piece of written language. This is noise music: tightly packed, rigorous, with a violent pulse. 24 exercices de parallaxe with Louis Ouellet: Exploring the rules of music composition and measuring them up with computer programming. Here we have a classical approach with short piano pieces. The two artists have programmed software for the Disklavier piano.
ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO - THE THIRD DECADE
Prayer for Jimbo
[9:50]14.1 Mb
Funky Aeco
[7:42]11.1 Mb
Walking in the Moonlight
[4:10]6 Mb
The Bell Piece
[6:06]8.8 Mb
Zero
[5:59]8.6 Mb
Third Decade
[8:18]11.9 Mb
Art Ensemble of Chicago "The Third Decade" Album Review
Beyond Jazz
This was my introduction to the AEC and it still remains my favorite (along with Full Force). I would recommend it to any rock/pop fan who is interested in checking out the weirder side of jazz, but is not enthused about purely shrill, free form blowing. There is a little bit of that towards the end of the album, but what preceeds it defines the meaning of "eclectic." The AEC sound is always inhabited by all manner of bells, whistles, drums, and perfectly "off" saxophones, but here they are all put in the service of some consistently great melodies. "Prayer For Jimbo" builds mysteriously out of a strange, hovering synth hum, while a delicate folk melody is slowly developed on top. It creates a very surreal, dream-like atmosphere whilst building to the aptly titled "Funky AEOC." The bass kicks out what starts as a very earthy groove but the intertwining horn lines push it towards something akin to elastic space funk. From here we get some hard bop, some free jazz, and a symphony of bells, all played with that certain "otherness" which makes this band so special. All of this sonic adventurousness culminates in the title track where, for the first time, the horns begin to wail like sirens. After the admirable restraint shown on the rest of the album, it's as if Bowie, Jarman, et al, are announcing the beginning of their Third Decade, ready to explore new territory and blow minds in the process. If you missed it the first time around, here's your chance!!
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