Search - Marc Ribot, Anthony Coleman, Ted Reichman :: Marc Ribot: Scelsi Morning

Brilliantly mixes Nu Jazz, Downtown, Noir, & White Noise

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 10/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most definitely not for everyone, Scelsi Morning presents some of the most interesting and challenging music being performed and recorded today. Originally composed for two different dance pieces, the music resonates with other performance-oriented music, such as soundtrack recordings, having suite-like sensibilities and a vingnette-like feel. Dedicated to Giancento Scelsi, a modern Italian composer, who also creates uniquely atmospheric soundscapes, this discs stands out by virtue of its drama, menace, and beauty.What I especially like about Scelsi Morning is its gloriously varied and unusual sound palette. Ribot not only employs a wide variety of instruments, he places them in unique settings. Thus you get Ned Rothenberg making his bass clarinet sound like a didjeridu and honking goose on "Geese," backed by intriguing string and pump organ voicings interspersed with mesmerizing fugue-like passages. Much of it is very atmospheric, like a soundtrack to a noirish sci-fi movie (check out esp. "Our Daily Bread," with its blasts of fuzz guitar, Chinese-water-torture percussion, and very in-your-face violin playing). I especially like the faux-anthemic, Chinese-tinged "The Youth Brigade Triumphs Again (and Again)." All in all, garage-soundtrack-Nu Jazz might best describe what's going on here.As I say, not for everyone, but highly recommended for those with big ears and not afraid to encounter a truly different music experience."