Book M
2001
An instrumental odyssey, Book M features full string sections, an
assortment of western and Persian, Turkish and Arabic stringed and
percussion instruments (some played by people who actually know how!),
'microtonally' adjusted synthesizers, organs and guitars, innovative
compositions, and off-the-map production techniques. The album is
focused and deliberate; the out-of-control aspects seem perfectly
natural. Moments of violent aggression are merged with the tenderness
and subtlety of the band's otherworldly passions. It's a drama of
dizzying complexity played out explicitly in the glowing artwork and
textual rants of an impressive 16-page booklet (with now legendary
cyphers that drop 7 levels down into the abyss).
Present is the unmistakable genius of violinist Eyvind Kang,
percussionist William Winant (neither of whom need any introduction),
and the cast from Mr. Bungle; drummer Danny Heifetz, bassist
multi-instrumentalist Bar McKinnon and producer / composer /
multi-instrumentalist Trey Spruance. The addition of the instrumental
expertise of Shamou on darbuka, zarb, riq, and zils, and Fatima on
santur, take the SC3 to new heights --- more than "ethnographic
forgeries", these are compositions emanating from another universe
entirely.
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