The mixture of acoustic percussion instruments and electronics creates harmonious textures.

13 MP3 Songs
ELECTRONIC: Experimental, JAZZ: Weird Jazz



Details:
Reggie Nicholson is one the best drummers to grace the local scene for the past couple of decades. He has worked with a diverse cast of musicians, Muhal Richard Abrams, Myra Melford, Yuko Fujiyama, Roy Campbell, Michael Marcus and the late Wilber Morris. This is Reggie's second date as a leader, but here he has done something very different. This is solo effort where he plays drums, bells, small percussion, brushes, chimes, gong and sequencer. He plays sequencer on eight of the thirteen pieces, an instrument often not held in high regard with jazz snobs. He has done a fine job of programming intriguing beats and grooves throughout this suite-like work. He often plays his trusty drum set often with the sequenced beats and this does work well to create something new. The sequencer also incorporates some great bass-lines as well. The problem most folks have with sequencers is when they repeat lines over and over and over. Here, all the pieces are relatively, so that each line is used creatively or hypnotically on its own. He names one piece after master British percussionist Tony "Oxley" and it is a study on subtle acoustic grace. "Weapons of Mass Destruction" is an ominous work for suspenseful acoustic drum and eerie synth, very well done and most effective. Superbly recorded by Jon Rosenberg so that each piece is a well balanced part of the overall story, which unfolds superbly. Much of this is ultra-subtle so please be patient, the rewards are surely within. - BLG Downtown Music Gallery, NYC