One of the ways that I knew that I was "getting old" (besides actually
aging) was when there appeared a segment of Music that I could not relate
to. The dividing line between "My Music and Their Music" had been drawn in
the sand. And though I tried to keep an open mind and ear, I eventually
came to the (painful) realization that there was now some Music that I
probably just wasn't going to understand. I was now on my way to becoming
an Old Fogey.
However, Salvation has come. And it has come in the form of the Music of
our own Marco Anderson. He sent me a copy of his solo release "Niji Seson".
From the instant that laser beam hit the CD, I was transported through a
musical plane that I thought was off-limits to me. Not only did I finally
'Get It', "Niji Seson" made me feel as if I'd never lost it in the first
place.
When Todd Rundgren recorded "A Wizard, A True Star", his goal was to
"print his brain directly onto the tape". He had started taking psychedelic
drugs, and (he thought) had reached a heightened sense of awareness. So he
wanted to document this new awareness. The reason I mention this is because
on first listen, I got the impression that Marco had a Vision and Purpose
for this work. And I believe that he has successfully documented his Vision
on "Niji Seson".
One thing about being ignorant of some newer music is that I don't know
what it's called; i.e. "It's this thing or that thing". And this is good
for my review of "Niji Seson" because I won't be able to label Marco's
Music. Labelling the Music on this CD would be a supreme injustice. Even
though it is indexed for individual tracks, (to me) that's only for the
benefit of replaying your favorite track instantly. Once I started
listening to "Niji Seson", I had to take it as a single musical piece;
straight through.
For the sake of giving you ~some~ idea of the ingredients in the "Niji
Seson" brew: it's Fusion (real Fusion), it's bass'n'drum, it's got samples,
it's got sequencers, it's got enough bass to rattle your teeth, it's
Hip-Hop, it's In Yo Face Funk, it's Jazz, it Rocks, it's Melodic, it
Swings, it's Majestic, it Turns ona Dime, it's Indian, it's Epic, it's
Headphone Heaven...it's a one hour, 21 track, instrumental, 97% Marco
playing solo, ultra-sonic tour-de-force from our Minister of
Dis-Information.
Did I mention that I Luuuv It!!!!?
I can't describe my enjoyment and enthusiasm for "Niji Seson" properly
through email. And I don't have enough adjectives in my vocabulary to
describe the pleasures that are in "Niji Sesons" 21 tracks. But it's been
the only thing that I've been listening to since I got it. It deserves a
wide audience; and I give it my highest praise and recommendation. My only
complaint is that my favorite track, titled 'Impetuous Child', is too damn
short.
I think I owe Marco some money, because I'd buy this in a heartbeat. I
owe him something because I feel I've short-ended him on my part of the
deal. Marco's gonna have to post the details on how you can get a copy.
"Niji Seson" means 'Thus I Heard'. I've heard it, and you should too!!
All the Best,
Rod
"Mark, your CD is transcendent and I'm glad to endorse it as well. It = reminds
me only slightly of Steve Anderson's CD - he is also a drummer/keyb= oardist
and he was the drummer on Jeff Beck's last tour. But, yours is a = singular work.
Smart O-W-ers will contact our beloved Minister of Disinformation for a copy."
Scott Steele
"Some of it felt like flying or being dead. Other parts were like sitting on the
ocean floor or in the temple. And still others like standing astride the faultline
when it shears, or inside the volcano as the dome buckles. It transcends most of
what I know musically, yet it was very direct and accessible. And so diverse that
it's impossible to label. Which is good. Mary Jane liked it, and appears to have
written down a lot of unintelligible things the night we stayed up listening to it. 3
Jewels. 5 Stalactites. I'd like to order a copy for my friend Pete in Liverpool, he'll
love the production. Let me find his address. I shall take it home to Ireland and
affect my friends. Oh, and did I mention I really liked it ? Steve roll the dice
(Charles Bukowski) if you're going to try, go all the way. otherwise, don't even
start."
Steve Gaw
Show less
