Search - Richard Crandell :: Mbira Magic

Deceptively simple

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 11/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The mbira, also known as a "thumb piano," is a traditional African instrument of great timbral and tonal subtlety. In the hands of a master musician, it becomes mysterious resonant and deliciously evocative. With a timbre somewhere between a marimba, balophone, kora, and harp, it's not the kind of instrument you can beat into submission; instead, it yields up its musical treasures only with a kind of deeply humble approach, one that fully takes into account its odd character and limited dynamic range: you've got to coddle it to make it reveal its glories. That said, if properly played and recorded (as it is here), it surrenders a richness of overtones and timbral mysteries found in no other instrument.



The vibe here's a kind of "folk minimalism:" repetitive (with endless variation), somewhat static-sounding (especially initially), dynamically one-dimensional. The timbral uniformity undergoes some relief with the addition of world-class percussionist Cyro Baptist gracing three numbers, something I would've like to have experienced on the entire disc, not only on account of the welcome variety he provides, but also because he's regarded as perhaps the reigning world-jazz percussionist on the scene today and brings an incredibly imagination array of percussive moves to any endeavor with which he's associated.



But you know what? I'm not complaining. There's a kind of trade-off going on here: the purity and radical simplicity of the solo mbira numbers vs. the richer and more varied tapestry of the percussion-added cuts. Still, it would be intriguing to hear an entire disc of Crandell/Baptista offerings. What about it, Tzadik? Think you could handle that? Let's hope so."

Mbira Magic

William C. Lindros | Eugene, Or USA | 11/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is indeed a magic CD. It reminds me of the sound of a waterfall - cascading notes, soothing and calming with subtle variations. The more you listen, the deeper you get drawn in. Great for meditation, massage and making love."

Magic Music

Bill Baars | Portland, OR USA | 12/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a delightful cd. Let yourself go and drift within the music, confident that you are in excellent hands. Richard is a marvelous musician and composer (and an astounding guitarist as well. Check out his composition Rebecca on Leo Kottke's Chewing Pine cd) and he has found an excellent collaborator in Cyro Baptista. I've played this cd for a number of friends and the response has always been terrific. If you're looking for a gift for someone (or yourself) you would be doing yourself a favor by checking this out."