I imagine "Raio" as what it sounds like when one of the space shuttles docks with the International Space Station. Once the shuttle reaches outer space, it must orbit the earth in such a way that it can catch up to the station's orbit for them to dock. "Raio" opens with an electronic rhythm pattern. Moments later an insistent, steadily increasing thump is introduced. As the song enters its second minute these two patterns merge and new sounds are introduced until the song reaches its apex and then the song deconstructs itself.
The combination of electronic sounds, field recordings, and traditional Brazilian drumming is an assault all its own. I've never been to Brazil, but I've seen pictures and heard tell of hyper-kinetic Rio de Janeiro. It doesn't take much of a leap to hear some of these tracks as an aural presentation of that claustrophobic world.
This is not a record to analyze. Don't fight it and don't try to figure it out. Submit to it. Let it be your fortress, your firewall. I'm still standing in that corridor and the doors are still closed but right now I don't care.
Sudaka is Musotto's debut album, originally released in 2003. It is now available worldwide for the first time through Fast Horse Recordings.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Yeah, I know what you mean about those guys named Glenn (or Glen). Real irritating bastards...
-Glen
2 - Mark Saleski
damnation! that Fast Horse label, they're gonna be the death of us all.
3 - Josh Hathaway
No question about it, Mark. This is just the first of a slew of releases still to come. I can't wait.
Percussion heads need to check this one out.