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Dann Zinn: Shangri La
ByFor this project, Zinn put together a flexible trio capable of blurring lines. Atmospherics and solid-state jams exist simultaneously, peace and war work in the same space, empty canvases can turn busy at a moment's notice, and the line between the scripted and the spontaneous is often hard to read. Zinn's musical version of the titular idyllic wonderland is really as multi-dimensional as you can get.
Zinn and his partners on this journeyguitarist Chris Robinson and drumming icon Peter Erskineare open-minded and open to anything. When these three get going, there's no telling what they'll do. Serenity gives way to heat ("Daydreams"); the raw and raunchy come to the surface ("Wanderlust"); a Green Day pop hit is re-imagined as a vehicle for wood flute ("Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life"); the allure of the matador comes into focus ("The Bullfighter"); and a state of questioning is explored to the fullest ("Rain").
Along the way, there are lots of sonic marvels and technical wonders to behold. Zinn's register-hopping groove creation during "Voodoo" is a gas, his epic battle with Robinson on "Wanderlust" is an obvious highlight, and his sensitive looks at dissimilar artistsJohannes Brahms, Giacomo Puccini, and Green Dayare each beautiful in their own way(s). Erskine, as always, can whisper or grind to perfection, and Robinson proves to be a man of many moods and colors. Have these three found the mystical realm they were looking for? There's no way to truly answer that, but they've certainly carved out some great music that speaks to their strong chemistry and skills.
Track Listing
Daydreams; Voodoo; Shangri La; Wanderlust; Rain; FLute Intro; Good Diddance (Time Of Your Life); The Bullfighter; Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 - III. Poco Allegretto; Tic Tac Toe; Chi Bel Sogno Di Doretta.
Personnel
Dann Zinn
woodwindsDann Zinn: tenor saxophone, processed sax, wood flute; Chris Robinson: guitar, baritone guitar, guitar loops, ukelele; Peter Erskine: drums, tambourine, shakers.
Album information
Title: Shangri La | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced