"The Roots Of Drone" 2xCD

This compilation does an admirable job collecting samples of some of what could be loosely considered "drone" music's history, dating back to 1926. Of course, it could be debated that drone-based music goes back centuries (and indeed it does), but as for modern music, Chrome Dreams (who are usually busy producing unauthorized DVD biographies of pop and rock stars) has done a fine job.

From the old-time Texas folk fiddler, Fiddlin Eck Robertson to the Irish bagpipes of Pipe Major Macintosh, this 130-minute set also touches upon classical (Wagner and Haydn), blues (John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Howlin Wolf), jazz (Miles Davis), gospel (James Shorty & Viola James Congregation), Indian, New Guinea, Tibetan, and Romanian musics, modern classical (La Monte Young and John Cage's infamous "4'33"), and tons more. It's an entertaining and lively set with a wide array of sounds, all sharing one common thread -- a predilection for sustained, monophonic harmonies and notes. 

My sole complaints with "The Roots Of Drone" are in the liner notes, which are, sadly, a tad brief, and the packaging design, which looks far too "modern", flashy and inappropriate for the subtle and historical content of the music. (Chrome Dreams)

Ben Neill - "Night Science" CD

Ben Neill's trademark creation, the "mutantrumpet", takes center stage here, on this predominantly electronic release. Initially studying with folks like La Monte Young and working with John Cage, Neill, since the 90's, has skirted the edges of both jazz and electronic music, inhabiting a realm somewhere in-between. "Night Science" utilizes plenty of dub/step beats and sequences, with Neill's late night trumpetings taking the smooth club sounds into a more subtle, almost romantic, and decidedly nocturnal arena. On cuts like "Hearthrob", it's a floating, almost ambient techno journey with strings and distant vocal samplings. Otherworldly, to be sure. but pleasant. "Night Science" is soft, lilting, and lovely trip to a night-time world of electro-jazz -- not too "out-there", but unique nonetheless. (Thirsty Ear)


Ben Neill site