Meniscus Magazine, Vibrations

CD Reviews:
Published 3/31/05

Color and Talea
Project Mayhem

“I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc, because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through. It is only when I lose contact with the painting that the result is a mess. Otherwise there is pure harmony, an easy give and take, and the painting comes out well."

This is how the great abstract painter Jackson Pollock described his work. This philosophy for his painting, seems to not only illustrate his free-style attitude of painting, but is also appropriate to describe the free-form, wild, and ever-changing music of Color and Talea.

This Boston-based trio has just released their third studio album, Project Mayhem. Like Pollock, Color and Talea create a musical canvas of interweaving notes, a splattering of effects, and a scattering of vocals. They create a unique and verbose sound as a trio of saxophone, bass, and drums, with a splash of effects thrown in.

On Project Mayhem, Color and Talea break apart all definitions and preconceived notions we might have about music. Their music does not have any boundaries, classifications, or stereotypes. It is evasive, yet inviting. The play between Anthony Buopane on alto saxophone, Ben Das on bass and Adam Sturtevant on drums is very conversational. The back-and-forth combined with articulated and melodic sax style, sounds like a wild and heated dialogue.

To call Project Mayhem indescribable would be accurate but hardly fair for an album so full of attitude and exactness. You can hear the hours of practice, the refined chaos and sweat behind Project Mayhem.

Color and Talea is a rare breed of musicians, sharing the abstract jazz fusion genre with artists like Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Medeski Martin and Wood.

Color and Talea has created an innovative and provocative album in Project Mayhem. It is truly a one-of-a-kind addition to any music lover’s collection.

In addition to their studio work, Color and Talea is also amazing live. The combination of abstracted jazz with electronic effects, makes for an incredible show. But Color and Talea does not stop there. Breaking free from the confines of the stage, front man Buopane has been know to express their music by running, screaming, jumping and flailing across the venue. If you were not already shocked by the music, the performance antics will stun you.

For more infodates and to purchase Project Mayhem, visit
www.colorandtalea.com.

Lotus
Nomad
On Nomad, the first studio release from five-piece instrumental band Lotus, each track is filled with an amalgamation of high-energy techno riffs and groovy funk beats.

The success of Nomad can be placed on the ability of the band to bring technical depth to otherwise standard dance hall songs. Lotus has the mysterious ability to engage the listener while remaining fun and light. This is a skill sometimes lost by bands that specialize in ambient grooves.

Self-described as “Organic Ambient Trance Funk”, the sound of Lotus is everywhere and in between. On “Suitcases” the subtle beauty brought to the dance tune by guitarist Mike Rempel, blows in like a fresh breeze. This track morphs from a song with meandering guitar to a funk odyssey with bassist Jesse Miller ripping it up.

On “Spiritualize” the fast and intense keys by Luke Miller are complimented by the addition of vocals by Chuck Morris. The complimentary vocals add intensity, depth and mystery. This track is an illustration of the gravity and dimension Lotus is capable of achieving. “Travel” also features vocals by Scott Huston. The repetition of Huston chanting, “Up this road…” is hypnotic and intriguing. The careful and systematic layering of sounds keeps the listener engaged as the music tours and sways from one sound to the next.

Lotus switches gears for “Greet the Mind” as they turn to sultry and sexy hip-hop funk beats. This slow and seductive side of Lotus is a refreshing change and one I hope to hear more of.

The last track on Nomad, “Colorado”, is a beautiful song that features deep, melodic guitar. Lotus saved the best for last with this track. The thoughtful and organic sounds are so soothing and peaceful that you can almost picture the Rocky Mountains, big blue sky and the fresh air of Colorado.

Intentional or not, Nomad succeeds in taking us on a voyage of the mind. Complete with adventure, intrigue, sensuality and peace, each track on Nomad captures our need for emotional exploration and excitement.

The Nomad liner notes read:

The Nomad has no home,
but is at home everywhere.
It is the present location, not
the unforeseeable future, nor
the lingering past, where the
mind of the Nomad resides.
The journey is everything.

For more information about Lotus and up coming tour dates, visit www.lotusvibes.com

Oshe
The Good Book

On The Good Book, the groove quartet Oshe (pronounced “ah-shay”), creates a well-composed and groovy sample of their live shows. Recorded in August and September of 2004 at shows in New York and Connecticut, the CD is packed full of high-energy jams and raving solos.

On “Treachery” and ‘The Good Book”, the first and last tracks of the CD, the bands talents are highlighted and extended in to long jam sessions. Each member is given his moment in the spotlight with wild jazzy improvised solos. All tracks on the The Good Book are consistent, but these two tracks stand out from the others as composed, technical, and cohesive.

Drummer Adam Ochshorn plays high-energy dominant drums, while bassist Ken Love lays a consistent groove. Keys player Jake Savage and Will Senisi on guitar add rhythmic chaos that creates a CD full of structured improvisation.

Oshe are very busy this spring with tour dates scheduled almost every night of the week in New England and New York. I am confident that Oshe’s feral, disorganized and sometimes-furious sound should be heard in person. I look forward to seeing this band progress and develop into a fixture of the live music scene.

For more information and tour dates visit: www.oshe.org.