Greg Davis - "Mutually Arising" CD

His first Kranky release in (gasp) almost 5 years? Davis has evolved much in his "absence". Indeed, "Mutually Arising" is a set of 2 extended tracks, both with similar trajectories, but altogether different endpoints. "Cosmic Mudra" is nearly 29 minutes of buzzing, carefully-layered drone. To an untrained, or impatient ear, this could be construed as single-note nonsense, but upon closer "deep listening", this drone is a combination of sounds that gently twist and envelop itself again, like an ouroboros circle. The drones become intense at around the 18 minute mark, and it's really quite an overwhelming experience. "Hall Of Pure Bliss" runs at 22 minutes, and it's a more spacious, lilting, almost ambient journey, It really doesn't get much more minimalist than this, thank you John Cage. But Davis' ear is on a spiritual angle here, as evidenced by his titles. Is this meditational music? You betcha. Imagine opium dens and alternate planes of consciousness, then imagine the soundtrack. This is that. (Kranky)

Greg Davisplace

Autumn Records (Greg's personal label site)

Bird Show - "untitled" CD

Chicagoan Ben Vida has enlisted the help of some like-minded Kranky roster-mates (drone master Robert AA Lowe of Lichens, laptop composer Greg Davis) for his third LP as Bird Show. But his now-trademarked tribal/primal/psychedelic freak-scapes are still just as subtle and effective as before.

'Clouds And Their Shadows' could almost be described as a blissed-out bit of space-jazz (with regards to Sun Ra), but beyond that, Bird Show's sound is that of a primitive trance/ altered state, with elements and instruments from distant cultures siphoning through the blurry haze. The only obvious structure is the rhythm, which is generally congas or hand drumming, and there are voices here (which are non-lyrical), which could very well be summoning ancient spirits. 'Green Vine' is more jammy tribal out-jazz, whereas 'Berimbau' is an exotic raga/drone that floats and drifts into the subconscious quickly in it's brief 2-minute span. A fine and immersive selection of explorations into inner space. (Kranky)