JeanMichel Jarre's Odd Techno Shocker And Alice Coltrane Disciple Surya Botofasina's Meditations
Jean-Michel Jarre, Brutalism (Sony Germany)
French composer and synthesizer Jean-Michel Jarre's best-selling works, such as 1976's Oxygène and 1978's Équinoxe , feature loud melodies, feminine and feminine tones and driving rhythms. in the space. Although these albums are purely instrumental, millions of copies sold throughout the 1970s, perhaps thanks to the radio success of Kraftwerk's "Autobahn" and the explosive popularity of disc, which created mainstream acceptance of Synth's music.
As much as Jarre's best thought and well-made work, there was always something nice and light about them. "Oxygen (Part V)" is an exception; This trajectory makes the rocket engine really roar, especially in the second half. The 1988 Revolution LP features some weird moments, but overall it brings back Jarre's penchant for very familiar and widespread ostentation. Most recently, Amazônia 2021 has ventured into ethnic sound, using jungle sounds to complement environmental compositions on the big screen.
For most late electronic music legends like Vangelis (RIP) and Giorgio Moroder, expect the creative forces to fizzle out. To be fair, this applies to musicians of all kinds. For this reason, it's shocking that Gary's 22nd album, Oxymore (released October 21), is heavier and weirder than expected. The press release says it's "intended to be an immersive work of multi-channel binaural 3D imaging," which may partly explain the music's stunning 360-degree nature.
The title track features fast guitar steps, weird abstract electronics, and the best beats JMJ has ever produced. It feels more like Orb at its deepest level than anything Jarre has done in his 50-year career. The mind-blowing technique of Neon Lips is far stranger than anything you can imagine from the 74-year-old songwriter. The same goes for a lot of Oxymore, including the "brutal" main track.
It's funny that Sony Music thought a track as relentless as "Wild" would make a strong debut single, but such a decision probably speaks to the influence of someone as legendary as Zhar. In it, a tense borborygmus synth smears a tense, windy techno face and makes it look like the eccentric Swiss Yellow has caught a babbling bug and drank dirty acid before entering the studio. The label and artist are credited with promoting and producing such a bold and interesting track from a platinum-certified icon who has performed at millions of concerts around the world. Old Jean-Michel doesn't play it safe.
Surya Butovasina, "Surya Meditation (feat. Swamini Satsang)" (Spiritmuse Records)
A gentle soul with a deep meditative ability, New York keyboardist/composer Suriya Batafasina grew up in late jazz/new age legend Alice Caltrane's Sai Anantham Ashram, and it shows. His new album, produced by Carlos Nino, Sons of Almal (November 4), sits lavishly at the intersection of soulful jazz and the quietest of the new age.
Its nine tracks span over 100 minutes and offer an abundance of beauty. Pianos, synthesized strings, vibrations, bells, chants, devotional sounds and recitations (Mia Doi Tod, Radha Batafasina and Swamini Satsang) dominate the sound field, where every detail is lovingly placed for optimum calm.
As someone who has been heavily involved in relaxation music in all its forms for several years, I find everyone's children a particularly comforting example. It seems there is still a need to gain some semblance of rationality, but in 2022, the need is more pressing than ever. The relaxed atmosphere of the album is exactly what the master requested. Everybody's Kids challenges the prevailing culture of instant gratification, short attention spans, and the endless endless scrolling that plagues modern life. Battafassino - who also starred in Boardwalk Empire and Vinyl - invites you to close your eyes, sit in a comfortable position, open your ears and heart as wide as possible to let his "Tony" crystal hair move you better.
This 10-minute excerpt from "Surya Meditation" (another version of the album is almost three times as long) begins with Swamini Satsang declaring with good confidence, "Every day should be meditative," while resonating with the drones and the beautiful earth patterns he creates Vibraphones hum your chakras in perfect harmony. Satsang at one point said, "Blessed is the world! And while it's a good idea to think about it, a quick analysis of Google News refutes this optimism. However, Suriya creates a convincing illusion that all is well, at least as long as your music is flow through your sensor.
