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Karuna Trio: Imaginary Archipelago
ByThe sound is a potent blend of acoustic instruments with electronic processing, at once ancient and modern. In his role as composer/conductor of the Go: Organic Orchestraas heard to stunning effect on Ragmala: A Garden of Ragas (Meta Records, 2019)Rudolph shapes the music using the entire ensemble as his instrument. He does much the same thing here by processing and editing the raw materials of the trio's initial performance.
"Okomibo" opens the set with a spacey flute and percussion soundscape, with substantial processing on the flute part. "Alima" features bass clarinet, weaving melodies through a pointillistic landscape at first, then a regular rhythm. "Ibak" has a ritual feel, and finds Jones switching between flute and saxophone, processing turning the saxophone into an echoing chorus. "Pitek" is carried entirely by rolling percussion at first, joined by echoing saxophone, while "Chandirasa" makes extensive use of chimes, bells and gongs. "Suwakaba" must be a jazzy place, as it is inhabited by drum kit and saxophone. Voice is a strong presence in "Vajna," and "Sorokaba" closes with a gentle, contemplative mood.
The combination of hand percussion, horns and electronics strongly recalls the work of trumpeter Jon Hassell. Rudolph has worked with Hassell, notably on City: Works Of Fiction (All Saints, 1990 & 2014), but he brings his own sensibility to this music. In many ways it really does sound like World Music from a different world. And a rich, diverse sound sometimes belies the fact that it is all being created by just three musicians.
Track Listing
Okomibo; Alima; Ibak; Dimahala; Apekweh; Madazuba; Pitek; Chandirasa; Suwakaba; Vajna; Sorokaba.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Imaginary Archipelago | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Meta Records
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About Adam Rudolph
Instrument: Percussion
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