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Assif Tsahar / Cooper-Moore / Hamid Drake: Lost Brother
Cooper-Moore dominates "Breaking the Water with the amplified rumblings of his twanger, which sounds like an otherworldly combination of a fretless bass and a Theremin, or like a Harley engine, as Tsahar blows into and around the vibrations. When Cooper-Moore switches to the ashimba, Tsahar changes to bass clarinet and Drake's accompaniment on tabla or frame drum contributes to the heavy Saharan vibe and warm, natural, woody sound. On diddley-bow, Cooper-Moore's tone is deep to the point of distraction, but it's a bracing instrument, particularly on "Departure, where Drake locks into funky rock groove. On "Seeking the Punto Fijo, Drake's rhythm suggests his work with Ken Vandermark's Sun Ra/Funkadelic tribute band Spaceways Inc.
A few years ago, Drake cut a duet session with his usual compadre, bassist William Parker, called Piercing the Veil, Vol. 1 (AUM Fidelity). The rhythmically enchanting music that Cooper-Moore makes here with Drake is close to that effort. And give Tsahar credit. He's like the golfer who isn't interested in playing with inferior opponents or even players of equal skill. He's only up for playing with his betters, in order to better himself. On Lost Brother, these three musicians are in top form.
Track Listing
Breaking the Water; A Falling Leaf; Departure; Dugong the Sea Cow; Seeking the Punto Fijo; Confessions; The Coming of the Ship; The Shepherd; Goin
Personnel
Assif Tsahar: tenor sax, bass clarinet; Cooper-Moore: ashimba, twanger, diddley-bow; Hamid Drake: drum set, tablas, frame drum.
Album information
Title: Lost Brother | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Hopscotch Records
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