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If you were rather disappointed with the
"New Millenium" and the inevitable passing of time, then perhaps you should check
out Peter Epstein`s new record, "The Invisible." Like all of our releases, we
feel this record presents a powerful and viable musical statement that will stand
the test of time.
What "The Invisible" presents to the
listener is an aural look back at the sound of the 60`s, while making strides
into the (ever shrinking) creative sonic future. How can this happen? One listen
to Jamie Saft`s vintage, vacuum tube powered Italian Farfisa organ on tracks
2, 4 and 6 and you will understand what we mean. But, let`s not forget that
this is Peter`s record and that he penned all the compositions to play with
this band which also includes the stable Chris Dahlgren on bass and most amazing
of drummers, Jim Black.
Quite honestly, it is truely difficult
to describe the music on this record, but what I can say with conviction is
that everyone has his own voice and when everyone "sings" together, the energy
and "harmony" is from another world. This quartet is so free, but so tight and
Peter`s compositions could not sound better than with the members of this group.
Here is what Peter
has to say in the liner notes:
Many things are invisible. Some always
so, others, as an exception.
Often, it seems, it's the most significant
things that are invisible -
emotions, ideas, meanings, patterns.
One has to be ready for them or, overlooked, they slip away.
When one looks past the essential technical
elements, the making of this music - focused, collective intent - relies almost
entirely on invisible means. It is difficult to say exactly how collective communication
takes place, even these words betray it's true essence, they're far too visible,
too simple.
The process within each musician is invisible
and mysterious.
Even more so is the collective process.
(In this case, four) people find internal focus, enough to "look" outside themselves
and "see" and respond to what the others are doing in turn. Success varies;
one and all can only try to be ready.
It is to this invisible process, in music
and all aspects of life, that this album is dedicated.
"The Invisible" was recorded in June
of 1988 inside the St. Peters Church in Chelsea, Manhattan with one pair of
Telefunken 221 vacuum tube microphones supplied by bassist Chris Dahlgren himself.
The low end is tight and amazingly fat, due to the large one inch capsules.
The top is liquid and smooth, especially when Jamie Saft plays that New York
Full Concert Grand Steinway. And, of course like all (except 2) MA recordings
done after the fall of 1992, this record is an original 96 kHz recording.
The cover photo was done by the award
winning Japanese photographer Shoji Ohnuma a true artist who will be working
with MA long into the future.
"THE INVISIBLE"
Peter Epstein: saxophones
Jamie Saft: farfisa
organ, piano and accordion (on track X)
Chris Dahlgren: bass
Jim Black: drums and
percussion
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