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Master Musicians of Bukkake - Totem 3

Recommended by us on 28th April 2011

Totem 3 by Master Musicians of Bukkake

4...according to our on Thu 28 Apr, 2011.

Never really sure what approach to take to MMOB. This multi-headed, multi-faceted beast of a psych rock orchestra dabble in or sorts of mythical and ethnic business whilst maintaining a reliably cult underground status. 'Totem Three' is the final installment of the Totem trilogy and sees the group taking what they need from Satyajit Ray, Tuareg music of the Sahara, Early Music, John Carpenter and the writings of french philosopher René Guénon, forging them into their own unique modern psychedelic rock vision. Definitely the most coherent of the three installations, 'Totem Three' features some truly awesome compositions. The arid, eastern drone meditations I'm sure you'll be familiar with by now ('Bardo Sidpa', 'Illuminating The Ten Directions') but it's the upbeat flavours like the ecstatic Kali Yuga inspired rock out ('In The Twilight Of Kali Yuga') and the Carpenter inspired 'Failed Future' that instantly stand out in the crowd. Reminiscent of the material recorded for Latitudes earlier this year, 'Failed Future' incorporates synths in an classic electronic soundtrack style (Goblin, Jan Hammer, Vangelis, Carpenter etc.) and suggests a possible new direction for the group. Kinda sounds like Mahavishnu Orchestra too, which is mint. 'Totem Three' features all sorts of bizarre instruments and guest appearances but you can read about that in the press release. All you need to know from me is that this is a cracking LP, possibly their best so far.

Following the tremendous success that was Totem 2, Important offers you Totem 3. LP pressed in an edition of 1000. This is the final offering before entering the new wave of the failed future from MMOB. Totem Three journeys from quiet Bardo womb choosing meditations and instrumental mantras to the delusional glee of Kali Yugafied Indian rock. Totem Three is the most diverse and heartfelt of the Totem trilogy. A steady pulsating musical mirror prison expressing the atrophy of our "Modern World" through no-age hallucinations of passionate and unfolding melodies. A blissfull mirage filled caravan with no destination pushing onward through a mercurial blue sanded desert between what is and what was. A place where disembodied nomadic djinn join in lament attempting to push through the cell phone interference with a message of no return. Culminating finally in the Totem Trilogy's finale the John Carpenter nodding synthetic 80's horror film decay and the utter realization of our "FAILED FUTURE".........."what is veiled, what was, what will be and what will never be, what will we do when we go from living to only surviving?".......TOTEM 3. Featuring 7 new pieces influenced by the music of Satyajit Ray, Tuareg music of the Sahara, Early Music, and John Carpenter, And the writings of french philosopher René Guénon. Totem Three features guests from Secret Chiefs Three and Alan Bishop from the Sun City Girls as well as many more luminaries from the Seattle music scene. Featuring artwork by Seldon hunt completing the connecting art of all three of the Totem records.Randall Dunn: Rag-Dun Tibetan long trumpet, throat singing, Korg MS-20, Mellotron, Micromoog, Korg Poly Six, Guitar, Audio hallucinations. Don McGreevy: Drums, percussion, gong ritual, Acoustic Guitar, eternal thirst Milky: Electric guitar and Vocals and yugas Dave Abramson: Drums and percussion, singing bowls, Kalibash B.R.A.D: Divination, Gongs, Vocals, Atrophy, 80’s Italian fear Jim Davis: Electric Bass, keyboards, Nylon String Guitar, fair Timba Harris: Violin and Viola, middle way Special Guests: Alan Bishop: vocals on 2,4 Faith Coccolia: Text and literagy on tack 6 Hans Tueber: Flute Josiah Boothby: French Horn Taiana Karr: English Horn and Oboe Steve Moore:Trombone TorDietrichson: Tabla

Tracklisting: 

Seven Pieces Descending:  1)bardo sidpa 2) in the twilight of kali yuga 3)illuminating the ten directions 4) prophecy of the white camel/namoutarre 5)6000 years of darkness 6)reign of quantity and the signs of the times /patriarch of the iron age 7)failed future

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