zumpoems

If you are in the market for flashy, aggressive 1976 rock or fusion, then it’s best to search elsewhere. Generally, this is a relaxing, reflective, introspective album. The musicianship is stellar: Collin Walcott on sitar, John Abercrombie on guitar, Dave Holland on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums — and the music has a high level of intensity. But rather than being compelled to dance on top of the table, I think it is more likely you will find yourself listening to this cross-legged on the floor, immersed in the music as opposed to immersed by the music: one is absorbed with this music and not appropriated by it.

For the most part tracks alternate between contemplative and more extroverted. The first track, “Margueritte,” starts off softly, gathers intensity and then drifts back into a calmer, more exploratory mood, making use of repeated melodic fragments to provide continuity. This is followed by the lively, syncopated “Prancing,” which features Dave Holland, and is likely to be a favorite of listeners more comfortable with hard bop or progressive rock. Night Glider, aptly named, takes us back inward; tracks continue to alternate in this fashion until the final track, “Cloud Dance,” an energetic number that comes closer than any of the preceding tracks to approaching the current fusion aesthetics of its time, providing a strong finish to the album.

The sonic detail makes this perfect for detailed listening — instrument voices are always clear and distinct. This album nicely avoids being an “East meets West” excursion or a trendy passing nod to Indian musical tradition. It is a musical presentation with its own rules and expressive objectives — exploring new soundscapes — breathing, not rushed, with each piece providing a different refreshing and substantial experience.