Blue

I have to correct the previous review--this CD is a collaboration between Warren (ex-Zappa, Missing Persons, and the dispeptic, and post-hits, Duran Duran) on highly-processed guitar and L. Shankar (not Ravi). Shankar is related to the famous sitar player, but his chosen instrument is an astounding double-neck electric violin with five strings on each neck. The two necks can be moved so that both are played at the same time, or one neck is swung out of the way so that it simply resonates while the other neck is played. You've heard the sound of this instrument, and Shankar's voice, in slow passages on the last few Peter Gabriel albumns. If you like that sound, then you'll like this CD.This is ambient music, but with more of a world music influence (coming from Shankar's involvement) and with more musical "events" than your typical ambient dronings. These are all good things....who knows how these two disparate musicians ever got together, but I'm glad they did. These very satisfying songs are instrumental, except for the mesmerizing chanting of Shankar, and feature many strange and wonderful sounds (often making you swear there was keyboard, bass, drums, etc. in the mix, rather than just guitar and violin). Good background music (as ambient stuff must be), but also interesting enough to engage during active listening. I took a chance on this one, and I'm glad I did.

First of all, this is NOT Ravi Shankar (sitar) but L. Shankar (also not related to the former) on the double-violin.This is not at all your run-off-the mill, cheesy ambient trance. All sounds and 'music' were improvised in real time with certain post-production assembly. It often sounds like the processed experiments of Robert Fripp tracking multi-layered guitars that at times sound like anything but that....which only showaces Warren's command of his instrument. Warren's use of space provides intensity and depth at the same time, but it's L. Shankar's brooding, hypnotic and utterly controlled dual lines that make this project from slipping into the fusion territory. The liberal use of Shankar's Carnatic 'bols' adds a mesmerizing percussive tone to the overall concept. Two masters of their game. No wonder both Warren and Shankar played in Frank Zappa's bands!Similar concept, albiet on the muted trumpet can be found on -1. Jon Hassel's signature Fourth World meets Electronica of Maarifa Street. Only thing here there's a live quartet playing to an audience.2. Norwegian trumpeter, Nils Petter Molvaer's ER or Solid Ether.