Customer Reviews

The Perfume of Creosote: Desert Exotica Part 1

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East meets southwest in a vibrant world-jazz-rock-ethno-ambient fusion[whew]. This is definitely a unique recording blending many different genres together. In the first track "Surya,The Divine Sun" for example, didgeridoo, electric guitar, drumkit, percussion and vibes join forces in a loping, strutting, rhythm across the desert floor, with an eastern sounding melody.

There are 23 tracks on this disc that blend together expertly. Most tracks feature some type of drumkit, keyboard, percussion, and guitar, with desert textures. Some other highlights: "Mirage"-dreamy, echoing guitar with percussion and cymbals. "Rattlesnake"- a perky electro strut with spaghetti western guitar. "Adventures Of A Packrat"-nice piano melody with percussion, synth, electric bass and drumkit. "Monsoon"-juicy bass and guitar work in a nice groove over a swaggering rhythm. "Roadrunner"-a rapid fire synth, nice guitar and a sturdy rhythm propel the listener down the highway. You can see the heat rising off the sand and feel the desert wind. This list could go on and on. Pretty much every song on this disc is a highlight. There are enough killer grooves and ideas packed in here for three or four albums,and the quality of musicianship is excellent!

Not exactly ambient,but good music is good music! Fans of fusion music will love this. If you are looking for a different sort of musical adventure this is a sonic vacation you may not want to come back from. Pack your bags and go away for the weekend.

I LOVE THIS MUSIC. JAMES AND MICHAEL HAVE MADE A GREAT CD, SO FULL OF LUSH SOUNDS (AND VISIONS).THEY PUT SO MUCH VISUALLY INTO THE MUSIC-TARANTULAS, RATTLESNAKES, DUST DEVILS, THUNDERBIRDS, ROADRUNNERS, SCORPIONS, SUNSETS, EVEN A PINK FAIRY DUSTER(WHATEVER THAT IS!). PUT ON THE HEADPHONES, CRANK IT UP! MY FAVS ARE- SURYA,THE DIVINE SUN- ADVENTURES OF THE PACK RAT- WHEN THE DEVIL WAS A LITTLE BOY- ROCK GARDENS- ROADRUNNER- AND THUNDERBIRDS!!! THE PERFUME OF CREOSOTE: DESERT EXOTICA PART 1! I'M HOPING FOR MORE MUSIC FROM SMOKE & MIRRORS!!! PEACE & ENJOY

Every day, I have a different tune stuck in my head. Few things in life give me greater joy than discovering a musical gem that I find myself wanting to listen to over and over again. The Perfume of Creosote is such a gem. Each track has a definite hook. The variety keeps the album interesting, and the images it invokes are as vivid as the accompanying soundtrack. Yet, the soundscapes do not hit you over the head as much as the track titles might suggest. For example, I never would have guessed the dreamy, hypnotic, earworm-inducing "Tarantulas" was inspired by large furry arachnids, yet now that I know, I can easily envision the gentle creatures methodically combing the desert at twilight. The various tracks are lush with plenty of exotic percussion (a personal favorite of mine) yet not so overpowering as to leave nothing to the imagination. There is nothing deceptive about Smoke & Mirrors. These guys have nothing up their sleaves. They know exactly what they are doing, and it is brilliant.

I expected I would enjoy the CD because I have met you and how often do we get to meet and know the composers and musicians of the CDs we listen to on a regular basis. I was, however, extremely pleased when I began listening to the CD to find that I truly enjoyed the music for itself, not only because of who composed and performed it. What a wonderful surprise to find so much talent and an unexpected gem quite literally in my own backyard.

You both are truly gifted musicians and I am grateful that you have chosen to share your gift with other music lovers. This is a CD that I am sure I will find myself playing over and over again as I have a feeling it has a complexity that will be revealed layer by layer each time I listen to the music. I also look forward to your second release which I understand is coming soon.

Thank you for what I know will be many hours of very enjoyable listening!

Acrid, airy, warm and rhythmicly inspiring, this CD brings to mind the psychedelic dreams of a desert landscape. A sprawling cascade sideswiping Eno, Fripp, Numan and post-punk, it's a soundscape to spur your creativity. Great background music if you're a painter, sculptor or writer. Some DJ friends of mine are mixing with it.

The composers are well-known former LA punkers who directly influenced everyone from Jane's Addiction to The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD and recommend it highly. More!