Eric Johnsen "Where The North Wind Blows"

 

From Bret "Jazz Video Guy" Primack.  

Where the North Wind Blows (Johnsen) guitar - Aliéksey Vianna drums - Daniel Dor tabla - Ehren Hanson voices - Eric Johnsen Where the North Wind Blows stands in sharp contrast to the previous duet (with the two running together). This fusion piece gives musical expression to an unexpected end to a long and loving partnership, As such, it is a little frenzied by design, beautifully driven by Israeli drummer Daniel Dor (formerly with bassist Avishai Cohen), and with an aggressive presence by the strings. Throughout the album there are programmed tracks that Eric blends with actual performers (usually incidental percussion parts), but on this piece programmed tracks take on a more prominent role as the Rhodes and bass tracks. Eric also sings on this, in a kind of background, ambient capacity. Co-producer Doug Martin heard something in Eric’s (untrained) voice which he thought might compliment the music, and so convinced Eric to try it. With the help of Doug and co-producer/engineer Wiley Ross, it worked. In the tradition of vinyl, Eric structured this album as consisting of two sets – a side A and side B; this piece closes out the first side. Eric Johnsen’s Liminality seeks to explore liminal spaces: that space at the threshold of profound change; the state of suspension between the death of what was, and the birth of what will be -- or could be. Combining an improvisational chamber ensemble with strings, Liminality weaves together jazz, fusion, and world beats with chamber and orchestral elements. The music ranges from strictly composed to purely improvisational. Textures range from the power of the full ensemble with chamber string orchestra to the delicacies of solo and duet performances. At times the music floats in ethereal spaces; at other times it is rhythmically driving, anchored by American, Indian, and Afro-Cuban influences. All music composed and produced by Eric Johnsen. For more info: http://ericjohnsen.com