Barrett Martin plays drums in various and exotic forms along with vibes, marimba, piano and bass, joining with thirteen guests in cameo form including 3 different basses, some percussionists, guitarists and woodwinds. The 25 pieces here are between 1-5 minutes, sometimes creating static moods like Javanese folk sounds, on “A Rumor Of Rain” and “Incendescere” and other moments giving off tribal tones during “Moonfish” and “Bronzecasting.” Synth sounds are a bit meditative on “Event Horizon” and the skies seem to open on the dramatic “Spooky Action At A Distance”. For the most part, we get tonal pastiches like a musical National Geographic.
Mathieu Vanasse does the composing, programing, piano, production and “realization” as he teams up with fellow programmer/realizer Mac Chartai, bass clarinetist-suggestor Jeannot Bournival, Alain Aubut/cel, Anne B eaudry/viola and Madeleine Messier/vi for 13 gentle moods. Pretty piano o n”Aller and echoey ivores join in with strings and bows fo ‘Escale Corail.” Hints of Brian Eno teaming with Eric Satie mix electronics with piano on “Vertige Du Funambule” and “Carroussel” as well as the melodic “Cap Myazaki.” High pitch tones on “Pavillion Des Brumes” and gentle use of spaces are tasted on “Argentique” with a mix of deep reeds and Lisztian piano form dreamscapes for “Escale Impromptue.” Sonic draper.
The percussive team of Tim Broscious and Gene Koshinski mix and match with the Schwob Philharmonic conducted by Paul Hostetter in this collection of folksy chimes. Rich glassy tones dance on “Paper Covers Rock” with lovely romantic cadenzas for vibes and marimba by a piece by Micharl Taylor. A Three Part “Impressions of Chinese Opera” includes some wild percussions, voice and gongs mixing and matching with a rollicking march, while castanets create a table dance on the lusty “Khamsin.” A three part “soniChroma” mixes a dramatic soundtrack-like them with noir film effects of flute and percussion. All of the pieces here are in search of a black and white movie starring Edmund O’Brien smoking a cigarette and wearing a wide brimmed hat.