Mike Clark - Carnival Of Soul

Mike Clark - Carnival Of Soul
2010, Owl Studios

Mike Clark is something of a legend. Coming to prominence as Herbie Hancock's drummer in the early 1970's, Clark has gone on to play with the likes of Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans, Brand X and a host of other names in jazz music. Clark teaches regularly at camps, colleges and music shops but still finds time to create, as vividly displayed on his latest album, Carnival Of Soul. A tribute to B-3 trios, Clark finds the freedom to let go and play with a youthful energy on Carnival Of Soul, assisted by the likes of Delbert McClinton, Rez Abbasi, Delbert Bump, Jerry Z and Jeff Pittson among others.

Carnival Of Soul opens with "T's Boogaloo", a tribute to Al Tanner where Clark and friends challenge you to sit still. It's a pure mix of boogie and funk that's absolutely irresistible. "Monk's Dream" mixes bop and blues with a modern twist while Clark provides quiet pyrotechnics on the skins. " Multiple GRAMMY winner Delbert McClinton sits in on vocals for "Cry Me A River", providing a dynamic vocal line to balance the uniquely subtle and compact arrangement cooked up here. Clark shows off his New York swing style on "Water On The Moon" and channels a bit of Max Roach on "Turok Son Of Stone". The latter is pure bop with a modern twist.

Stay tuned for Clark & company's rendition of "Angel Eyes"; a classic read with electric solo work from both Delbert Bump and Steve Homan. For the true drum aficionados out there nothing will beat "Bookin'". Clark conjures rhythms that are difficult to imagine and nearly impossible to copy, treading the sort of polyrhythmic ground tread by Buddy Rich and more recently by Neil Peart. Things take a funky turn on "Zoyd", a fun little nugget that seems a tad out of place here but sounds like it was too fun to play to leave off the album. Carnival Of Soul closes with a tribute to Sid Catlett entitled "Catlett Outta My Bag". Lenny White sits in, and the ensemble invokes thoughts of Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock before the album fades away into musical aether.

Mike Clark seems to create something new every time he sits down at the drums, and there is a tremendous sense of play on Carnival Of Soul. This is not just a first class jazz/fusion/funk album; it's an album alive with the joy of the players practicing their craft at its apex. Carnival Of Soul is likely to be truly enjoyed by a narrow demographic of jazz fans, but that doesn't change the fact that at the halfway point of 2010 it's among the best new jazz albums to be released this year.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Mike Clark at http://www.mikeclarkmusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/drummermikeclark.  Carnival Of Soul is available as a CD or Download from Amazon.com, as well as from iTunes.

Review: Drum Dynasty – Drum Dynasty (Mystic Sunrise/Dark Continent)

Drum Dynasty – Drum Dynasty (Mystic Sunrise/Dark Continent)
2008, Katavi Arts

Sometimes accidents are really divine intervention. I wouldn't be one to ascribe the supernatural to how Drum Dynasty came to be, but don't be surprised when someone says it. Bruce Burgess spent a day at a local recording studio laying down rhythm tracks for his drum students to practice with. What was intended as an education tool was catalyzed in the hands of percussionists Arturo Rodriguez and Marco Zonka, who added in additional layers for their own students. Once film composer Kevin Christensen started adding background music in to fill out and house the rhythms, Burgess knew they were on to something special. Mixing primal rhythms and soaring New Age themes, Drum Dynasty captures one of the most original sounds in Indie Music. This is self-evident in Drum Dynasty's debut album, a two-disc affair entitled Drum Dynasty. The double album is split into two CDs: Mystic Sunrise and Dark Continent.

Both albums feature both primal rhythmic work and ethereal New Age material, but Mystic Sunrise seems to lean more toward the ethereal whereas Dark Continent more toward the primal. Middle Eastern, African and Far Eastern elements come into play on Mystic Sunrise, opening with the ethereally percussive title track. Al Jabr is a disturbing and beautiful composition that might accompany a scene of some unknown being climbing out of subterranean mists; it invokes a similar energy. Karma has an other-worldly feel, incorporating India and possibly Thai influences. Drum Dynasty takes on the Dance Of The 7 Veils in an unexpectedly subtle version that I am still getting used to after nearly a dozen listens. Twenty Drawings is intriguing; a marriage of two distinct rhythmic parts that works better than it has any right to. My favorite track on Mystic Sunrise, however, is Sandstorm. This might the most complex work on either album, and incorporates sound effects, background noise and wonderfully deep rhythms to create not just music but an experience. Other highlights include Dajari, Damsels Of Brindiban and Masalama.

Dark Continent opens with jungle sounds and becomes a pensive rumination with a prehistoric feel. Primitive rhythms and even jazz are represented here, dancing around the edges of the song like shadows about a fire. Dark Continent isn't so much about composition as it is mood and moment, but works brilliantly. Katavi uses percussion as an instrument of melody over the backdrop of rhythmic percussion and ethereal synth work. Hemiola is a percussive waltz with fills that Buddy Rich or Neil Peart would shake their heads in wonder at. Warfare is a compelling piece as well, using a martial feel imposed on rhythms and chant to simulate the coming together of two distinct forms of communication. Tension exists even as the two schools of thought coexist. Rainmaker again uses percussion to create and sustain melody and vies for the title of best track on either CD. Shango plays like a drum solo you might have heard at a rock show in 1970's or 80's, using polyrhythmic variations in what I would call a "show off" piece for a drummer. The other true favorite on the collection is Dance Of The Flies, which uses African rhythms and chant blended into a more modern sound to create an enjoyable composition you'll keep coming back to.

Drum Dynasty is a compelling collection centered on the core rhythms of Bruce Burgess, bringing movement and rhythm out of the background and making them the primary musical voices. In a horse race, Dark Continent would beat out Mystic Sunrise by a step, but both albums rise to the level of brilliance at times. The blend of primitive and modern sounds captured by Drum Dynasty creates a compelling body of work in just two albums. I am excited to see what comes next.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Drum Dynasty at http://www.drumdynasty.com/ or http://www.kataviarts.com/. You can purchase a copy of Drum Dynasty as either a 2CD set or a Download from Amazon.com.

Review: Clandestine – The Invalid

Clandestine – The Invalid
2009, Clandestine

Clandestine has been making waves in Los Angeles’ underground music scene, mixing Progressive Metal with lush electronic sounds and the dynamic voice of June Park (vox, programming). The band is rounded out by Dan Durakovich (guitars, programming), Mark Valencia (bass) and Apex Theory alum Sammy J. Watson on drums. August 18, 2009 sees the release of Clandestine’s second album, The Invalid. Mixed by Sylvia Massey (Tool, The Apex Theory, System Of A Down), Clandestine is poised to make the jump to the big time.

Clandestine sets forth with Fearless, a vibrant and heavy modern rocker featuring the fabulous vocals of June Park and the intriguing guitar work of Dan Durakovich Fearless is ready for Modern Rock radio and may have some crossover potential particularly if it were placed on the soundtrack of a psych thriller or horror film. Disappear finds Clandestine venturing into some seriously progressive territory, showing the sort of creative construction and funky time signature work that made bands like Rush. Drummer Sammy J. Watson sounds like he might have spent some time studying Neil Peart, if nothing else. Silent Sin heads more for a middle-of-the-road pop sound likely designed to increase Clandestine's marketability across demographics, walking a similar path to Evanescence (although I have to admit that I think I might choose Park over Amy Lee).

Clandestine bounces back a bit hardcore on Philistine, ripping up vocals chord, tearing off the roof; generally melting face. Philistine questions existence, purpose and generally the meaning of life in urgent overtones with some of the hottest guitar work of 2009. Fracture has an urgent feel, threatening to fly off the rails at several turns winding around a melodic core like the winds of a musical hurricane. Dead To The World is an exquisite piece of Prog-Metal; Park is in perfect voice, and the arrangement soars over funky signature changes, arrhythmic progressions and a searing mix of guitar and synth to create a sound that's at times, other-worldly. The Invalid is a song about the right to die from the perspective of someone who has no control over their life. The song is angry and violent in tenor and thought provoking in content. It's a bit more cerebral than your typical Prog-Metal piece without sacrificing a bit of quality in the music. Be sure also to check out Comatose.

On The Invalid, Clandestine takes the unique sound of Evanescence and crosses it with the inventive progressive rock/metal styles of Rush to create one of the more unusual and welcome releases of 2009. June Park offers up a powerful voice that can croon a lyric line or scream like a banshee, whatever the moment calls for. Clandestine is incredibly talented musically, and the writing's not so bad either. There's too much power and too much talent here for Clandestine to stay hidden from public view. Clandestine just might be one of the next heavy hitters in the world of Rock.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Clandestine at www.myspace.com/clandestineband. The Invalid hits the streets on August 18, 2009. Expect wide availability. Keep checking the band’s site for more information.