The process of composition for me has always been about discovery
and invention, most often also with specific people and/or places in
mind.
In this way, it is very similar to a journey - a kind of personal journey whereby
problems arise and are overcome by solutions that are very often specific to
that situation. The more experience a composer has in creating customized solutions,
the more adept and able they are, in my opinion.
The element of surprise in the journey is also intrinsic to composition for
me.
A dramatic change in environment brings new people and places your way,
and forces you to reexamine many aspects of your voice and your existence.
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The process of recording allows a self-focused "magnifying glass" to
zone-in
further on yourself, your musical partners, and your composition.
Of course the subsequent benefit is that your journey has been documented - preserved
for future self-reflection and also for the ultimate reward -
sharing with audiences. The communication of ideas with audiences through a rich
musical language is really the essence of my musical motivation.
This album project aims to bring me closer to sharing music and my journey
with others. Enjoy. |
1. Farewell. Composed for my farewell concert in Australia in July 2002.
It incorporates my 5/4 interpretation of Maghreb rhythms - taught to me
at the time by my traveling drummer friend Josh Banks, who had spent time
in Morocco.
Justin Stephenson - voice
Jamie Clark - guitar
Jonathan Dimond - fretless electric bass
John Parker - drums
2. 16 Minute Smog. To say this composition was "inspired" by
the specter of driving up La Cienega Boulevard (Los Angeles) during any
of its daily 16 peak hours is stretching the term a little, but whatever
spurs on creative actions has merit, right?!
Ron Feuer - Hammond B3 organ, keyboard
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
Paul Tavenner - drums
3. Blues Jog. Inspired by a visit to the Woodford Folk Festival in January
2002. Here I saw a performance by the Canadian blues guitarist Harry Manx,
who performed on an instrument made by Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (the Mohan
veena).
Bhatt is an inspiration to me in Indian Classical music. The melding of
blues and Indian classical music in Blues Jog is made possible by the choice
of a raga with inherently bluesy aspects - namely the minor and major thirds
and a flat seventh degree that are part of Rag Jog. Two of my tabla compositions
are utilized in this piece - chakradar tihai which serve as a solo interlude
and a coda.
Justin Stephenson - voice
Ken Rosser - guitar
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string and fretless electric bass guitars, tabla
Dan Morris - drums
4. De-Ja-Vu in Nishi-Ogikubo. This is a composition for solo 6-string
electric bass guitar, composed in Japan. One night I was on my way to
a jazz club
I'd never been to before in Nishi-Ogikubo, near Tokyo. As I walked down
the small side street towards the basement club I was struck by a freaky
sensation - one of recognition and familiarity! As the words flowed from
my host's mouth I also remembered hearing them - she named the club,
which was called, inexplicably, "Live and Ocarina"!
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
5. The Intellectual. A latin/swing tune with lyrics based on Sufi poetry
by Rumi.
Justin Stephenson - voice
Ken Rosser - guitar
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
Dan Morris - drums
6. Greg by Fluoro. My original take on the jazz standard "Stella by
Starlight". Inspired by the harmonic displacement and humor of my
pianist friend, Greg Pagel.
Ron Feuer - Hammond B3 organ, keyboard
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
Paul Tavenner - drums
7. Urban White House. "Urban White House" was the name of the
Tokyo apartment building where I stayed while in Japan.
Ken Rosser - guitar
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
Dan Morris - drums
8. Gerard Doustraat 8b. This was the address of the apartment I stayed
at in Amsterdam while on holidays. This is one of the quaintest cities
I've visited. Experiences of great art, romantic markets, and a limp
resulting from tripping down a very narrow spiral staircase with luggage
inspired
this composition!
Aragorn Wiederhold - electric guitar
Milen Kirov - keyboards
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string electric bass
Plamen Kirov - drums
The Artists:
Jonathan Dimond - 6-string and fretless electric bass guitars, tabla
Jamie Clark - electric and acoustic guitars
John Parker - drums
Justin Stephenson - voice
Ron Feuer - Hammond B3 organ, keyboard
Paul Tavenner - drums
Ken Rosser - electric guitar
Dan Morris - drums
Aragorn Wiederhold - electric guitar
Milen Kirov - keyboards
Plamen Kirov - drums
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