Behind Purple Clouds

Instrumental mélange of genres ranging from psych-rock to folk to blues to world to jazz. This band comes out of Tucson (my home town) and has been making music since the mid-80's. Sadly, the leader and guitarist of Black Sun Ensemble, Jesus Acedo, died just last year. Thankfully though, he left us this masterful, transportive album to remember him by. An exotic detour from run of the mill indie-rock. Favorites: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 But ALL of these tracks contain their own unique world. Highly recommended. No FCCs.

RIYL: Goat, Brian Eno & David Byrne "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts"

1. (6:40) * Slow to mid. Delicate synth work. About 2:00 in Eastern sounding woodwind textures and a clever beat. Psychedelic, meandering guitar. Takes awhile to build momentum.
2. (3:30) ** Fast. Great percussion with almost Western movie guitar. Abrupt cymbal fade out.
3. (5:31) * Organ sounds before a driving beat kicks in. Really interesting mix of influences here (jazz, world, hip-hop beats). Guitar solo breakdown 3/4 way through. Great jam. Fades out.
4. (6:55) *** Fantastic drumming and nimble guitar work. Really ornate and entrancing.
5. (4:06) ** Slightly dour combination of violin, bass, and guitar. Emotional, cinematic. Builds steadily into a more upbeat groove.
6. (5:21) ** Dramatic gong hits. Trippy, noisy guitar riffs anchored by deep bass. Transitions into a nearly bluesy feel and then into a fast paced jam for the last minute. Great great stuff. Transitions to next track.
7. (4:48) *** Deep world percussion. My only complaint about this track is that it's too damn short.
8. (3:10) * Folky, western vibe. More toned down, but beautiful.
9. (3:10) ** Pounding drums with organ and atmospheric guitar. Really stellar drumming.
10. (3:07) ** Mid. Desert psych jam. Mesmerizing musicianship.
11. (2:33) Gritty guitar riffs abound. Nice and short.
12. (5:44) ** Playful organ melody that breaks into a mid-tempo groove.
13. (4:14) * Gentle guitar strumming. Almost nostalgic. Beatless and a truly different mood from the rest of the record.