Search - Forsythe, Zappa, Brecker :: Ear Mind 1

More recognition of Frank's genius

chris jenkins | Slums of Madison | 06/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was surprised when I came across this album. As a Zappa fan I am usually on top of the new releases but this one slipped by me. Now I am one happy camper. This is another jewel for your Zappa collection. The performance by Meridian Arts Ensemble, Benjamin Herrington, and others provide another variation and interpretation that add insight to Frank's genius. The works by Su Lian Tan-both as composer and performer, Jon Christopher Nelson, Josef Burgstaller, and the other composers offer some interesting contrasts and complements Zappa's pieces. Is this the best example of other people playing Zappa? Frankly, no but it is still worth the price. For Zappa fans this is a must. For those unfamiliar with Zappa-if that possible-I would suggest you listen to Zappa's own albums first."

Modern music can be fun!

Kyle W Myers | 06/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Meridian Arts Ensemble have gathered together here an enjoyable mixture of modern compositions & arrangements. First of all, the ensemble is to be commended for making such a bold move - or should I say several bold moves. So many new or otherwise "risky" composers and so much contemporary music on one album? A brass quintet? With a rhythm section and a guest composer who raps? And these guys sing, too? The Meridian Arts Ensemble has bucked the system & brought forward something that most record companies wouldn't touch - and in their boldness they have made a valuable contribution to comtemporary music. Second, the Meridian Arts have presented a fair - however strange - sampling of the music of Frank Zappa. Lumpy Gravy & King Kong are straight-forward instrumentals presented with creativity, but also true to the originals. King Kong, always the vehicle for interpretation & improvisation, is here presented as a kind of slow blues - and the drummer does a nice job of feeling those hemiola accents. Pygmy Twylyte may very well be a strange, even offensive, song, but the Meridian Arts have only presented it they way Zappa wrote it & performed it! There is no doubt that the funky rhythm 'n' blues style is well suited for the group, and this song really shows off their lighter side. Hungry Freaks, Daddy is presented pretty much in the same form as performances by Zappa's group in the early seventies - right down to the trumpet fills & electronic effects! I think this is the Meridian Arts Ensemble telling us that they do know how to have fun! Ironically, performances like this are going to help Zappa come to be taken more seriously in the future. Several living composers are featured - including the members themselves. Moo Shu Wrap Rap is quite an intriguing experiment - with a dinner gong, pentatonic scales, and the lady composer vocalising her Chinese lyrics. The least attractive aspect of this album is probably the vocal recordings - especially on the Rap. The composer's rapping is often difficult to hear. I think the variety of music on this album & the sincerity of the performances make this a fine choice for any brass or wind enthusiast. Also, fans of jazz & contemporary music, especially Frank Zappa fans, will want it. The Canadian Brass will want it, so they can see what their younger counterparts are up to! There are wonderful moments of standard brass ensemble work, very skillfully executed, but the Meridian Arts Ensemble wanted to go out on a limb, so they took a chance and have thus filled a niche that is often ignored. Let's hear no more complaints that new music doesn't get performed & recorded!"