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Nomo

NOMO’s roots are firmly planted in the fertile soil of African polyrhythm and American free jazz, and bandleader Elliot Bergman’s tracks draw inspiration from cultures and generations wildly different than his home setting. In many ways (at least geographically and sonically) NOMO are a distant relative of the TRIBE collective. Undoubtedly they carry the spirit of the legendary Detroit-label’s creative output.

NOMO were signed to Ubiquity through interest in their little-known self-titled debut album, and on the back of an onslaught of persuasive emails from their fans (including Sam Valenti IV of Ghostly International fame) that the band puts on a must-see live show. Raw propulsive rhythms and infectious melodies carry a horn section and multilayered percussion that is part Tom Ze, M.I.A., Philip Cohran, P-Funk, Antibalas, Tortoise and Harry Partch. Enigmatic Detroit producer Warren Defever was charged with capturing the band’s live energy, and he shaped the sounds for maximum impact.

“We blend minimalist keyboard loops, fuzzed-out bass, soulful group vocals, and rolling blasts from an electric mbira,” explains an enthusiastic Bergman. “Throw in a horn-led midnight funeral procession and hopefully you have a deep listen that’s also a soul shaking dance party for the people!”

In 2004 Ypsilanti Records released NOMO’s debut album and the band sold a few thousand copies (in the USA), mostly based on the strength of their live set. With the indie-press latching on to the band reviews came in from the Fader, XLR8R, Magnet, Blender, and the band even landed a spot on the URB Next 100 list. Later in the Fall of 2005 P-vine would give the debut album a Japanese domestic release. Following that, Ghostly International released a Dabrye remix of "Not Wisely/Too Well", from the debut, on the "Additional Productions Vol.1" EP.

The band has a core of 8 multi-instrumentalists and their big steamrolling ensemble sound still leaves room for solo voices; Elliot Bergman (Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Synths, Rhodes, Electric Mbira etc), Erik Hall (Guitar and Percussion), Jamie Register (Bass and Singing), Dan Piccolo (Drumset, Canister), Olman Piedra (Congas and percussion), Dan Bennett (Saxophones), Ingrid Racine (trumpet), and Justin Walter (Trumpet).

The band has toured incessantly since the 2006 release New Tones. That album garnered much critical acclaim and ended up on top 10 lists from NPR, Gilles Peterson, and Global Rhythm. The band has performed over 150 live concerts since the album, touring North America, and Europe including stops at Bumbershoot, Pitchfork Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW, and WOMEX.

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202
Album Review

NOMO: Invisible Cities

Read "Invisible Cities" reviewed by Jeff Stockton


Having started out in clubs around the University of Michigan as an octet (sometimes larger), enchanted by the Afrobeat of Fela (seasoned with a bit of avant jazz), on Ghost Rock (Ubiquity, 2008), NOMO emerged as much more inspired by the clanging junkyard percussion of Congolese Konono No. 1 and German eccentrics such as Can and Kraftwerk than by the work of John Coltrane or Charles Mingus. That was a daring record, simultaneously a natural step in this ambitious collective's ...

421
Album Review

NOMO: Invisible Cities

Read "Invisible Cities" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


Invisible Cities is NOMO's companion piece to Ghost Rock, comprising music recorded during Ghost's recording sessions and subsequent, supporting live performances. Cities uses many of the same musicians, structures, and approaches, but Bergman and NOMO seem to focus more on pulling traditional jazz sounds into, and pushing the boundaries of electronic rock out of, its swirling dervish mix.

For example, nothing on Ghost Rock sounds like Invisible Cities' opening, title track. Powered by the dual engines of a ...

383
Album Review

NOMO: Ghost Rock

Read "Ghost Rock" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


The initial sound heard on the opening “Brainwave" offers a first insight into the music of NOMO--the sound of composer, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Elliot Bergman “playing" an actual brainwave monitor. It's an important clue: NOMO finds music where other people find noise.

Ghost Rock is not an easy listen. It is inventive, challenging, and rewarding, and very often like an onion--each song grows through many layers, and they can be pungent enough to bring tears to the ears. ...

294
Album Review

Nomo: New Tones

Read "New Tones" reviewed by Judith Insell


The Detroit-based NOMO begins New Tones with the sound of the electric kalimba, leading the listener to believe that they are in for an adventurous musical experience, but as the disc progresses, it takes on the feel of an endless dance track. To composer/arranger Elliot Bergman's credit, he incorporates electric saw blade, gamelan, farfisa organ, nu-tone cymbals, canister and various other percussion instruments into the music, but the sounds are not really used to create new soundscapes, ...

166
Album Review

NOMO: New Tones

Read "New Tones" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


A band unlike most others, Detroit's NOMO consists of eight multi-instrumentalists led by Elliott Bergman, who plays tenor sax, bass clarinet, synthesizer, Rhodes keyboard, electric kalimba and more.

New Tones is a CD unlike most others, too. Captured in the studio by Warren Defever, the renowned yet enigmatic producer for Detroit's electronic/pastiche collective His Name is Alive, New Tones simultaneously explores electronic music, African polyrhythms, and American jazz and free jazz. “We blend minimalist keyboard loops, fuzzed-out bass, ...

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Radio

SiriusXM Subs Grow, But Could Autonomous Cars End That?

SiriusXM Subs Grow, But Could Autonomous Cars End That?

Source: HypeBot

Recent news that Sirius XM has gained around 1.3 million subscribers, along with the reality that almost every new car manufactured has it as a built-in option all seems like good news for the satellite radio company, at least for now, but what happens when autonomous cars begin to encroach on their market? Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0 With news that SiriusXM added around 1.3 million new subscribers last year, things are looking up for the satellite broadcast service. Sirius now ...

67

Recording

Soundway & Tummy Touch to Present Reissues by Joni Haastrup & His Band MonoMono

Soundway & Tummy Touch to Present Reissues by Joni Haastrup & His Band MonoMono

Source: Press Junkie PR

Re-Issued For Release On CD, Download And Replica Gatefold LP Are Three Of Nigeria's Most Coveted Releases; Monomono's 1971 Debut Album Give The Beggar A Chance, The Follow Up Dawn Of Awareness And Joni Haastrup's Debut Solo Record Wake Up Your Mind; release date September 27

Soundway and Tummy Touch are proud to present three blistering albums of Afro rock and funk from Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Joni Haastrup and his band MonoMono. Re-issued for release on CD, download and replica gatefold ...

152

Performance / Tour

NOMO Live in Philadelphia @ M Room on August 12th

NOMO Live in Philadelphia @ M Room on August 12th

Source: Michael Ricci

"This is the instrumental band to watch. Period." --All Music Guide Wednesday, August 12 2009 @ M Room 15 W. Girard Ave. Philadelphia, PA 21+ | $8 | 8:00PM OUT NOW: NOMO - INVISIBLE CITIES (UBIQUITY) Less than a year after the acclaimed Ghost Rock, NOMO have completed its spirited sister album—recorded during the Ghost Rock sessions and tours. Invisible Cities is informed by their ceaseless travelling, and visits to places both ...

156

546

Contest

Enter the Ubiquity Records "NOMO - Invisible Cities" Giveaway Contest

Enter the Ubiquity Records "NOMO  -  Invisible Cities" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Ubiquity Records “NOMO - Invisible Cities“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on June 7th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following NOMO at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Ubiquity Records

About NOMO NOMO's roots are firmly planted in the fertile soil of African polyrhythm and American free jazz, and bandleader Elliot ...

420

Recording

NOMO: New Album/Tour

NOMO: New Album/Tour

Source: JamBase

NOMO set to release new album in May / Tour Starts Now

The sonic empire of the Michigan-based collective is expanding; busting up genres and musical borders with astonishing results. Less than a year after the acclaimed Ghost Rock, NOMO have completed its spirited sister album-recorded during the Ghost Rock sessions and tours. NOMO's fourth full-length Invisible Cities (due May 05, 2009 on Ubiquity Records) is informed by their ceaseless traveling, and visits to places both real and unreal. With ...

196

Recording

Ubiquity to Release: NOMO - "Invisible Cities" (CD x LP) Worldwide Release on May 5, 2009

Ubiquity to Release:  NOMO - "Invisible Cities" (CD x LP) Worldwide Release on May 5, 2009

Source: All About Jazz

Less than a year after the acclaimed Ghost Rock, NOMO have completed its spirited sister album—recorded during the Ghost Rock sessions and tours. Invisible Cities is informed by their ceaseless travelling, and visits to places both real and unreal. The sonic empire of NOMO is expanding; busting up genres and musical borders with astonishing results. Album Snippets: Invisible Cities Bumbo Waiting Crescent Patterns Ma Banners On High Elijah Nocturne With a theme stolen from Italian novelist Italo Calvino, ...

177

Performance / Tour

NOMO in San Francisco

NOMO in San Francisco

Source: JamBase

NOMO :: 08.05.08 :: Bottom of the Hill :: San Francisco, CA

Fela Kuti was just the starter kit.

NOMO The Nigerian Afrobeat legend has influenced countless Western acts in the past decade, from direct descendants like Antibalas and Kokolo to hip-hop groups like The Roots and electronic producers like Masters At Work. But, in recent years, a number of bands have looked to expand their palette of African influences, with Brooklyn's Budos Band ...

218

Performance / Tour

NOMO on Tour - 22 US Dates Announced

NOMO on Tour -  22 US Dates Announced

Source: All About Jazz

ANNOUNCING 22 NOMO US TOUR DATES: DETROIT'S EIGHT MEMBER RIOTOUS JAZZ AND FUNK BAND COME TO TOWN

NOMO's roots are firmly planted in the fertile soil of African polyrhythm and American free jazz, and bandleader Elliot Bergman's tracks draw inspiration from cultures and generations wildly different than his home setting. Detroit producer Warren Defever (His Name Is Alive) was charged with capturing the band's live energy, and he shaped the sounds for maximum impact. New Tones, released last year on ...

116

Performance / Tour

New NOMO Dates Added to US Tour

New NOMO Dates Added to US Tour

Source: All About Jazz

NOMO are touring in support of their new album, New Tones, which hits stores May 9 on Ubiquity Records. New dates have just been added in Washington DC, Atlanta, Seattle, Chicago (a second date in June following NOMO's solo show on 5/12), Houston, Tucson, Salt Lake City, Denver & Omaha. Dates have already been confirmed in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Portland, Philadelphia & more.

NOMO were signed to Ubiquity through interest in their little-known self-titled 2004 debut, ...

DETROIT FREE PRESS
Nomo pushes the envelope and comes up with something truly special. This one conjures up trailblazers Brian Eno (circa Before and After Science) and Miles Davis (circa On the Corner) and is utterly astonishing. Still driven by horns and percussion, Nomo is in formidable form on Ghost Rock, one of the most audacious and spirited albums so far this year.

THE BOSTON GLOBE
Whatever you call their music, it's got an infectious groove the makes it impossible to keep your hips from swaying.

JAZZ TIMES
NOMO mixes various strains of great black music into a single blazing sun of sound, and right from the distorted sounds of the amplified kalimba that open the CD, you know NOMO is going to hit you with a hip-swiveling blast of righteous Afro-funk.

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Invisible Cities

Ubiquity Records
2009

buy

Ghost Rock

Ubiquity Records
2009

buy

Ghost Rock

Ubiquity
2008

buy

Rocket #9 / Nu Tones

Unknown label
2006

buy

Better Than That

Unknown label
2006

buy

New Tones

Ubiquity Records
2006

buy

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