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Torben Westergaard: The Gori Project II
ByThe practicalities of a followup would have been quite a logistical task even without the unprecedented disruptions of pandemics and shutdowns. Nonetheless, even a few years later in a changed world, the spirit of unity is dimmed not at all. Rene Damsbak returns from the first Gori to contribute more amorphous trumpet and electronics in the sound-sculpting mold of Jon Hassell. With Westergaard's bass remaining as comfortably unobtrusive as ever, the newcomers build hypnotic circles of Eastern grooves around them. The birdlike tone of Hyelim Kim's daegeum (bamboo flute) provides airy swirls complemented by Marilyn Mazur's low percussion rooting everything straight to the earth.
The group wanders as a whole with no particular lead voice; "You Then Who" is lively enough for some kind of light step dance, the haunting "Meskel" and "Now Then When" float somewhere mysterious and unsettling, and spots like "Flute Me Up" turn the electricity up closer to dub levels instead. With the quartet improvising half the tracks, there is no sticking to a mold, but rather a reaching for whichever tones feel right at the moment. One late-set Danish folk tune gets garnished with enough light harmonies and floating chimes to sound just as much Asian as European. The dialogue is a slow and thoughtful one, all about togetherness and mutual respect, and the world-spanning sound is a beautiful experience to match. This is a kind of unity the world can always use more of.
Track Listing
And This Is So; You Then Who; Bruised Blue; Democrazy; Meskel; Flute Me Up; Now Then When; Another Day Within; Det Var En Lørdag Aften; Daily News.
Personnel
Album information
Title: The Gori Project II | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Torben Westergaard
Instrument: Bass, electric
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