Fire Museum/Mandragora Rec. Erik Amlee : Afternoon Dream (US,2006)***°
Erik Amlee has developed in an autodidactic way, a different and explorative vision on the sitar, in combination with a unique 5-string guitar and some effects (like reverb and distortion). The idea still is pretty new, so you can hear in the album how new discoveries are taking shape. On the first track the fundament is the sitar improvisation, while using some delays and effects. On the second track he explores and develops similarities with a different instrument, the 5-string guitar, while on the next tracks there are more interactions, also with some additional effects. The album shows all these variations as if it was a deliberate compositional concept in different parts and sections.
I'll go a bit into detail now. On “Pulse Quickens” the sitar is played slowly, and with lots of delay that has a life on its own, with the plucked notes sounding like pins on which like waxed thread sounds, are hanging and streaming. On the second track, the 5-string guitar takes the lead, providing a very similar mood structure but with a logical different colour and rounded shapes. The piece is performed like a very slow late night raga, and has some background sounds to it. In the following track sitar and guitar are combined beautifully. The next track takes us one step further, adding distorted fuzz bass sound to the sitar improvisation. The last track with guitar has an extra distorted echo effect layer, bringing us in some way back to the starting piece, peacefully, but in an experimental mode. Very enjoyable.
Note : the cd text indicates different titles.
John Kolessar : Hebrew Ragas (US,2001)**°
