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SAIYUJI
The third album of the world-music trilogy, contains nine mid-length vignettes. The geometric piano sequences of By Any Other Name, sustained (alas) by drum machines, and the soul-jazzy Aquaville (more drum machines) are the weakest points. The arrangements of the rest shine. Saiyuji Dawn alternates from Terry Riley's colorful repetition to Jon Hassell's haunting trumpet wails and to exotic polyrhythmic patterns. Saiyuji Dusk is its mirror image, with an accordion-like sound replacing the trumpet-like instrument. The exotic overtones are particularly effective. Vagabond Messiah combines sprightly middle-eastern percussion, a new-age flute melody and a female invocation. The Road to Ahamkara weaves several repetitive figures together, creating a strong rhythmic urgency. Despite a couple of weak tracks, Saiyuji is probably the most refined and mature chapter of the trilogy.
Review by
Piero Scaruffi |