Search - Warren Cuccurullo Featuring Shankar, Shankar :: Blue

Ambient Improvs at its Best

vivek savant | Chicago, IL | 04/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, this is NOT Ravi Shankar (sitar) but L. Shankar (also not related to the former) on the double-violin.



This is not at all your run-off-the mill, cheesy ambient trance. All sounds and 'music' were improvised in real time with certain post-production assembly. It often sounds like the processed experiments of Robert Fripp tracking multi-layered guitars that at times sound like anything but that....which only showaces Warren's command of his instrument. Warren's use of space provides intensity and depth at the same time, but it's L. Shankar's brooding, hypnotic and utterly controlled dual lines that make this project from slipping into the fusion territory. The liberal use of Shankar's Carnatic 'bols' adds a mesmerizing percussive tone to the overall concept. Two masters of their game. No wonder both Warren and Shankar played in Frank Zappa's bands!



Similar concept, albiet on the muted trumpet can be found on -

1. Jon Hassel's signature Fourth World meets Electronica of Maarifa Street. Only thing here there's a live quartet playing to an audience.

2. Norwegian trumpeter, Nils Petter Molvaer's ER or Solid Ether."