And then there’s the otherworldly songs. “Metal Dew” and “Sheep Dreams” are like sound effects tracks for old sci-fi movies. The former track has the appropriate metallic drip of bizarre disco-infused science flick-tion and the latter evokes androids. At least for me it did. I may have been persuaded to think that way by the title of the song; purposely or not it made me think of the classic short story “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” – the basis for the classic sci-fi film, Blade Runner. I tend to doubt that was the intention but it was the effect.
The combination of percussion and wind instruments is seductive and sensuous on many of the tracks. Not only is it mesmerizing music but it makes me want to research these various percussion instruments and play them myself. Mazur and Garbarek succeed in two areas, then. They create powerful music that sounds approachable by us cretins. Beautiful stuff.
This music is unlike anything I’d normally choose to listen to regularly. But when in a contemplative mood this is the music to play. Elixir is a fascinating experience.
Article comments
1 - Enlightened Planet
I consider myself a huge fan of the ECM label, and a big fan of Jan Garbarek, but when I spotted this CD the other day I just couldn't even begin to talk myself into buying it.
The two times that I saw the Jan Garbarek Group (struggling now to remember exact dates, but sometime in the past 5 to 8 years, once at the Sydney Opera House, and once at The Esplanade in Singapore) I remember thinking that Marilyn's contribution to the group was superfluous at best, and an annoying distraction at worst. And this from a fan of Jan Garbarek's work, and a lover of percussion in all its varied forms...
The ECM distributor/retailer in Thailand has recently gone out of business, and to the best of my knowledge nobody has stepped in to take up the cause. But when I was in Singapore a few weeks ago I bought a batch of recent releases, including Nik Bartsch's Ronin, Manu Katche, Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani, etc. from the ECM label, along with a slew of new titles in other genres... but Elixir didn't make the cut.
Anyway, I see that All Music Guide also has given this a decent review... maybe I'll have to give Marilyn another chance some day. Thanks for putting your review out here so that I at least have to THINK about it!
2 - Gray Hunter
And thank you for reading and commenting. It's much appreciated.