The musical production of Miguel Kertsman, Time? What's Time? reminds me of the expansive musical experimentation of the old radio show, Musical Starstreams, that born-in-the-'80s program featuring "space music" and later, trance music, trip hop, and all sorts of exotic music that had no category. (Much to my amazement, Starstreams and host Frank Forest are still around and available by streaming from his Internet site.)
But Kertsman is so much more than far-out noodling in space-time. The Brazilan-born artist has performed with orchestras all over the world and is at home with a grand pipe organ as he is with electronic instruments. In the lush and fantastic Time? What's Time? I was expecting Philip Glass-like play with dynamics and time signatures, but that's just a beginning for Kertsman. He's all over the place, layering tribal sounds over a bed of ambient music, string ensembles, a full symphony, baroque singing, and even pop singing with lyrics. It could have been a mess, or just a head trip. And, well, sometimes it is. But mostly it works, sending the listener on fantastic flights of fancy that are best listened to at home and not in a moving environment such as a car. I'd hate to see the accident caused by listening to one of Kertsman's involved and wound-up musical adventures. Talk about distracted driving!
I'm not at all sure the listener is going to get as much out of the album that Kertsman intends with his ambitious liner notes (If he indeed wrote them: no other credit is given.) They give a long, and fairly pretentious story of "the Masters of Vega" who live within the Universal Music. They somehow make themselves known. Gravity tunnels form and humans must choose which ones to take. (Why?) The ones who take the right tunnels prepare new worlds….blah…blah…blah. I can't go on with this stuff. Nor could I follow it with the music.
Article comments
1 - A Geek Girl
You? Reviewing music? A welcome change.
I like it.
2 - the real bob
Whoa! This does NOT sound like a good album for ADD sufferers! But it's a good review!
3 - Lynn Voedisch
Hey, I have ADD. And yeah, it can spin you way off track if you are doing something. Not recommended if you have to concentrate!
Thanks, Bob!
4 - Ben
Lynn,
On behalf of Miguel Kertsman and his team, I'd like to thank you for putting together such a fantastic review of the album Time? What's Time? Miguel very much appreciates your kind words as well as your criticisms.
Thanks for taking the time to listen to the album and for putting together such a carefully worded analysis.
Sincerely,
Ben
5 - Lynn Voedisch
You're welcome, Ben. High praise, especially considering the fact that I wasn't so wild about the liner notes. It was still a special album and Miguel should be commended.