EN SE DE

  • Ethnic Fusion

    17504-2

    Artist: Big Black

    Label: Mutable Music

    Big Black, tumbas and bongo; Anthony Wheaton, guitar. Recorded at 1750 Arch Studios, Berkeley, California; Winter 1981/82.

    In a recording world nearly suffocating with the monotonous sounds of pre-fab electric "rock," 1750 Arch Records has been like a breath of fresh musical air. They have dared to record "live," and issue unedited renditions; they have presented new sounds, fascinating ensembles and esoteric instrumental experiments.

    But even in the rarified audio world of 1750 Arch Records the microgroove disc contained herein must be considered as unusual. Unusual, in fact, that the recording session ever took place; unusual in the sounds that emerge, and unusual in the concept and instrumental collaboration that we hear.

    The bringing together of Wheaton and Black was the lucky whim of a friend of Wheaton, who thought, rightly, that this would provide Wheaton with the creative freedom that his special talent craved for. Black described Wheaton as having ”the freedom of a jazzman but the technique and structure of a classicist”.

    "Ethnic Fusion is a reissue of an LP released on 1750 Arch Records in 1982. Percussionist Big Black, performing on tumbas and bongos, is accompanied by Anthony Wheaton on guitar. Raised in Georgia, Big Black is credited as being one of the first musicians to translate bebop rhythms to hand drums. Throughout the 50's he performed in salsa and calypso bands, and in the 60's he moved to New York to explore his burgeoning interest in bebo...