Chasm’s latest offering is as poly-emotive as it is poly-rhythmic, relying on exotic instrumentation to frame a singular sound that emerges with steadily melodic friendliness. The sweetness and liveliness of the flute is superbly arranged around simple percussive patterns conceived as strong support for the various stringed instruments. This is music live enough for feet tapping, although pleasant enough to be featured in any context whatsoever.

“A.K.A. You” features a rockish foundation exoticized by Chasm’s take on this frame of reference and with its own sense of peppiness. On “Elegy in G Major,” the plaintive recorders flow on a cloudish-keyboarded sound background that documents a melodically strong Classical foray into beauty. “Neo Rio” is the Latin representative of Panorhythmica. Its sensuous overtones are evident in the leading guitar’s solos, with tasty percussiveness driving and heating things up. Overall, examples abound in this release representing various musical sources and expressions, all touched up with delicate attention in order to appeal to the extended audiences available to such musical friendliness and accessibility.

One take at the instrumentation present in this recording, and sonic curiosity is immediately aroused. Chasm’s Panorhythmica might sound oversimplified to ears accustomed to oversold jazzistic depth. For lovers of cordially melodic music, however, these worthy musicians offer a sound of their own. When was the last time you heard a baritone ukulele, geist horn, alto flute and marimba on a world jazz album?

Contact: Sticks & Stones .

Chasm at All About Jazz.
Visit Chasm on the web.

Track listing: 1. Serengeti Sunrise-Michael Whipple 2. Monkey in the Middle-Mark Esakoff 3. The Smoothie-Michael Whipple 4. A.K.A. You-Mark Esakoff 5. Agua del Fuego-Mark Esakoff 6. Facing the Sun-Mark Esakoff 7. Falling Water-Mark Esakoff 8. Neo Rio-Michael Whipple 9. Destiny-Mark Esakoff 10. Symmetrical Soul-Mark Esakoff 11. Road to Panorhythmica-Mark Esakoff 12. Crossing the Chasm-Mark Esakoff 13. Elegy in G. Major-Michael Whipple

Personnel: Classical & Acoustic Slide Guitar, Lute-tar, Soprano & Baritone Ukulele, Vocals: Mark Esadoff. Concert & Alto Flute, Sopranino & Tenor Recorder, Stick, Kick & Hand Drums, Keyboards: Michael Whipple. Guests: Bass (all but 2,4, & 10), Marimba, Geist Horn, Percussion: Bodhisattva Jones. Bass (2,4 & 10), Percussion: Moon Dog Zephyr.

Published: March 10, 2003
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock

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