Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Abstractions: Sonic Conspiracy

155

The Abstractions: Sonic Conspiracy

By

Sign in to view read count
The Abstractions: Sonic Conspiracy
The Abstractions set up house on Sonic Conspiracy in the first 36 seconds. The roar, like an avalanche, heralds the coming; but in all the sound and fury there is an underlying attractiveness as they harness tumult in all of its atonality.

What emerges over the course of this album is the meld and merge of instruments and of voice given vent to in intense roil, and in somber expression. Agitation does not shift gear into overdrive, and while there is heated manifestation, it all boils down to a permutation that is fathomable.

The “Playground of Lost Souls” is the setting for an eerie atmosphere, the wind blowing strong shafts, turmoil raising an angry head, the sax ululating, the drums skittering, the vibes measuring time. Voice rises in supplication on “The Wisperer”, a prayer-like intonation; sound in its progression is measured calm.

One track goes left-of-center in the overall scheme, at least for a bit. “Dinner with Blue Dragon” gets saxophonist Rent Romus all thick and cozy and melodic, and it is a pretty nice feeling abetted by Marsh on vibes. But even in change, there remains a certain sameness, as sounds are contoured by percussion, piano and a tortured voice, and later, even Romus, into a knotty whorl.

The detractions come on “Ornette” where the spoken part sends everything askew and on “Don’t Touch My Shit” which is fair warning considering that it comes off as self-indulgent. Otherwise Sonic Conspiracy has much to offer.

Track Listing

Outfuck; Urban Gothic Hoedown; H-bomb transvestite infiltration bop; Dinner with Blue Dragon @ Extending Claw Caf

Personnel

Ernesto Diaz-Infante

Album information

Title: Sonic Conspiracy | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Edge Tone Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.