Timeless Pulse Quintet

TIMELESS PULSE QUINTET - "TIMELESS PULSE QUINTET" CD (Mutable Music)
Subtle, minimal, patient, meditative improv. Most of this group are local or California academics who have been making music for a long time, some more than 50 years. Two percussionists, accordion, live electronics and voice. There is a patience and a wait-and-listen to their playing that reaches points I don't think I've heard reached before. No one player ever dominates or takes the spotlight for very long. There aren't the usual (cliche) trade-off solos and there aren't the usual build up to a frenzy sounds. I'm afraid to use the word ambient because that often doesn't imply that it's deep and intricate, plus the percussion is free which to many is anti-ambient. AMM is the only comparison I could think of. Play this a bit louder than your average CD and don't worry it never gets loud.
1. Everything seems slowed down. The vocalist stretches out his vocal sounds. The accordion draws out long chords. The electronics make hissing noises. The musicians are listening/communicating to each other on a ridiculous level. Bird chirps? About halfway through the vocalist gets a bit more out and the accordion picks up the pace. Long 20+ minute piece.
**2. Bells? Long deep gong/bell sounds. Drawn out accordion and electronics. The track ebbs and flows. At times it sounds the breathing of a sleeping giant and at others it gets a bit arty sounding, in particular the vocals.
**3. The the title could imply "Just Play" this track is more playful. There is a playful communication between vocals and accordion and the vocals are further out, bordering on DAVID MOSS territory. This track is much more active. Whistle noises? Squeaky noises? Other vocalists? This track is wonderful.
4. Starts with louder singing and percussion. The two percussionists stay busy and are louder during most of this track. Vocals stick mostly to singing sounds (not words) and don't get too far out. Long.
5. Very quiet beginning. Quiet percussion for the first minute. The track goes on very quiet and minimal for the first 3.5 minutes but also never gets very busy or loud.
Very good stuff -mph