5.12.2008

two traditions
by jim roberts

this instrumental cd is a unique blend of both folk and drum traditions. it is characterized by steady percussive rhythm coupled with contemporary fiddle music. music is a high-quality live recording. expect high-energy to slow and moody. pieces range from one to five minutes. orchestrations range from full band to solo. this disc features the horse flies from ithaca, ny and friends. originally released in 1999, this disc features a sometimes wild, sometimes moody combination of old time string band instruments and array of hand drums and other percussion from the traditions of west africa and cuba. the result is music ancient and new, primitive and beautiful. in july of 1996, the horse flies played a fiddle music set in the dance tent. with their drummer, taki masuko, and percussionists, jim roberts and nery arevalo, they created an experience that was sort of a large wall of fiddle-music voodoo.

5.08.2008

waka waka

jim roberts


infectious american-african world music featuring south african singer/bassist, paul petersen. blending the melodies from africa with the rhythms of the carribean and us. these pieces are high-energy, rhythm based with strong ethnic pop melodies and harmony. styles range from afropop to traditional. tempos range from moderate to fast and times range from three to five minutes. of special interest: instrumental drum piece called drum art. also an instrumental afro smooth jazz piece called jol uit.

5.07.2008


ancient hand

by jim roberts


this is a rhythm based work with many different types of colors and timbres. melody by seven different vocalists. times range from four to 7 minutes. most tempos are moderate to slow. ancient hand was the first solo recording by percussionist, producer, jim roberts, released in 1998. it is mood-driven music that features experimental use of rhythm instruments such as west african balaphon, banjo uke, djembe, trash snare, conga kit, log drums, strum stick, embira, water gourds, paddle drums, trash bells and big bass tubs. rhythmic and harmonic instruments create poetic mantras for 7 different vocalists, ranging from lofty, cuban inspired "yemaya" to the dark moody "wait for me" sung by horse fly singer, jeff claus. The cd features a number of prominent nashville and ithaca, ny musicians including beth nielsen chapmen, victor wooten, members of the horse flies, the burns sisters, and essra mohawk.

5.06.2008


pendulum
by robert kaplan


from ambient textures to new contemporary music to rock-tinged improvisatory realms, these six tracks mix electronics with acoustic instruments creating evocative aural soundscapes that move freely between rhythmic grooves and kinetic stillness. in addition to rk, this cd features john ettinger-midi violin, michael hester-alto saxophone, david karagianis-loop grooves, devorah segal-vocals, j.b. smith-drums, and david torn-loops/textural devices.

you can now find this record in the asimplesound.com main library

5.05.2008


now and then
by robert kaplan

a collection of ten works created primarily for dance over a 25-year span (1979-2004). the four most recent tracks were experiments in the initial release of garage band. additional performers include david torn, jodi gilbert, devorah segal, marta jasberg, skip laplante, and david karagianis. this cd is dedicated to the late choreographer/dancer/visual artist, mel wong, for whom i composed over 30 pieces.

you can now find this record in the asimplesound.com main library

5.01.2008

Yesterdays Wedding

MamLuft&Co.Dance

music by michael wall