Thanks!

It's definitely one of my experimental pieces - an attempt to marry Punjabi Sufi music with Dub. The `pella comes from a singing tradition that Europeans and Americans into ethnic stuff might recognize through the work of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I suspect it's one of those musical forms you have to develop a taste for. Cheers.

Same to you mon neighbor du nord.

Back in the early `90's I was in a band in Seattle called Spirit House. Think world chamber music combined with the avant-garde scene titled, "Acoustic Trance" and you'll get an idea of what kind of music we played. Later I was in a recording project with the men from Spirit House in the band called "Anak Pisang" (Indonesian translated means 'banana child' and is a euphemism for not having a dad). The first 4-track recording session we did resulted in the other 2 guys deciding that I was inherently a Psychedelic musician. Not psychedelic rock, just psychedelic. To drive the point home, the guitarist said, "Pink Floyd - those guys tried. Hard. You just do it."

Guess psychonautic adventures can lead to positive outcomes - but this guy can never be president. Can't find your email, but when I do this one's coming your way 320kps style! Cheers.

Thankssssssss!

So cool monitoring each other's evolution, isn't it? I keep thinking about your tracks from a year ago, and about mine - we're both still in the same stream as we were, but the improvement is amazing!

A few years ago, my spouse and I were in a band called The Hybrid Association (check my links to get to the old site and music in real player format), and we really were improvisational artists. Often when we began, we'd all kind of flail along on drums, etc. until something clicked, and then it was glorious! I tried to replicate this with the beginning of the song. So the title really is a nod both to this former band, and the concept of how music constantly evolves through hybridity, and the encounters of musicians from different traditions. I'm still really pleased with this one, as it surprised me on several levels. Glad it gets your approval as well!

That's a mighty faltering thing to write! Careful, flattery will get you everything around here - lol. Honestly, this was one of those tracks that kicked my butt for the longest time, and the only reason it ended up working was my own stubbornness. Kind of makes me nervous though - can I do it again? Thanks kindly for the encouragement and kind words!

Hence the subversive nature of the song - it's in the interest of the oppressors to keep the oppressed squabbling and suspicious of each other. I like how music breaks down those barriers and allows humans access to unmediated human experience. Glad you like this one. Cheers!

You're on my short-list to review, so thanks so much for alerting my to your presence on this site! This one does carry a sort of internal heat, doesn't it? Urban centers not too far from the equator. Glad you enjoy this one, as it really does some interesting things. Thanks much for the favorite, that is a huge compliment! Cheers.

It's good to do something different, as long as it's not so unusual so that people don't enjoy it. Much work and even more inspiration here from musicians around the world playing music. Isn't it grand that we're some of those people? Glad you approve. Cheers!

This is definitely one of those inspired moments coupled with tons of sweat for execution. As indicated in a previous reply, this really had a lot to do with my getting over my own prejudice toward the accordion. I'm guessing Mr. Welk probably would not approve. Thanks for the listen and review!

You called the subversive nod spot on. I can't help but imagine lots of people shaking their head at this one. Hopefully I can be like that Zen teacher who occasionally smacks someone up alongside the head with a bamboo cane. For me personally, there are moments of unbridled sonic ecstasy that are truly amazing. I hadn't identified that hurdy gurdy phrase, but again you've called it - it does sound very reminiscent, doesn't it? I'm glad you find it funky, as I think it would fail without it. Thanks my friend.

Stephen, you are indeed one of my intended audience, so praise here carries more value than you probably realize. It was a good day indeed when we discovered each other's profiles and music. If you ever get a chance, check out the book "A Pattern Language" published in the early 1970's. It's really a blueprint for making a functional society, and one of the biggest aha's I had in it was seeing that diversity works as long as there are clear boundaries. For example, in San Fransisco China Town continues to thrive because of the natural boundaries around it. The hippies in Haight Ashbury didn't succeed because there weren't these boundaries. Neighbors worried about infiltration and declining property values helped bring it all down. Diversity when coupled with a sense of security or safety can and does work. With this track, I'm overjoyed that you feel the subversive pull and want to dance. I'm really thrilled you dig this one! Best regards my friend.

My childhood - both blessing and curse - lol! The melodic percussion really is from my childhood in West Africa and Southeast Asia, and something I've come to fully embrace. When I straddle 5 or 8 hand drums, I always play melodic rhythms because they're interesting and easy to keep track of. Musically, I feel like a lot of my stuff is played with feet in two worlds simultaneously and the real surprise to me is that people actually seem to like it. Thank you so much for the listen and review. I'll be by presently to see if you've posted anything since my last visit!

lol - you and me both Wayne. I largely hate the accordion, because of Polka and Lawrence Welk. Bad sounds. But I've heard them played well on a few occasions so I kind of know better. This in a way was my own facing my resistance to the instrument and doing something sonically redemptive with it. Sweat and much discomfort over the course of about 3 weeks of heavy obsession, but worth it in the end. It works. Thanks for the review and fave. Big compliment to be sure!

Honestly this was one of the hardest tracks I've ever made. But thankfully I out stubborned myself and got it pretty much right in the end. I'm really pleased that it does musically (noisily) what I was trying to do - create a sense of joy and invitation to dance. Music's the language where people with different mother tongues can communicate successfully. And it reminds us that we are really One, and there is no Us and Them. Glad you like it. Oh, a fave! A high compliment, indeed. Thank you.

Hi man,

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond, but it's been so hard to get to this stuff lately. Busy times. Got a final version of this one up now, and it's quite a bit dubbier than the one you reviewed. I'll be by soon to check out your offerings. Thanks for the listen and review!

Another band I hadn't heard of! Fantastic! Thanks for pointing me that direction. Early into the conceptual phase of this track, I decided on the hybridity element and wanted different traditions truly dancing together. In my experience, it's the musicians and the actors that are most willing to mix things up in non-confrontational ways. I think from your review I've done it successfully so far. Sweet. Thanks much for this review.

Yeah man, I'm glad you caught the wandering factor. I did that to emphasize the "dance" concept and how cooperation can lead to unity. Wasn't sure it'd work musically, but I'm encouraged that you hear it. This one definitely has taken on a life of its own, and I can't wait to see where it arrives in final drafts. Thanks for the encouragement and review here!

I'm still thinking its riding the edge of Dub Fusion, but yeah it's banging at this point. I'm really digging using less outside loops and finding that what I need I can generally make now. Still like to hear others' presence with their loops, but it's liberating knowing that I can create what I can't find. I'll be by to check out your latest soon! Cheers and thanks.

Good call on the drums - I was feeling that way, too. It's been partially fixed with the next draft, as has been the arrangement somewhat. Never heard Pantha Du Prince, so thanks for that! Thanks for the listen and review/suggestions. Cheers.