Customer Reviews

Supralingua (Reis)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I haven't heard Mickey Hart's most recent cd, SPIRIT INTO SOUND, but of the three Hart cd's just prior to this one (PLANET DRUM, AT THE EDGE, and MYSTERY BOX) I think this one is the least compelling.

This cd is definitely "good", but the other three are "very good" to "great". I'm not sure if it is the production techniques or RAMU, but there are many things on this cd that just sound completely artificial. Even without knowing that there are samples being used you can tell many of these sounds are computer-driven, the notes and phrases of the triggered samples just do not start in a natural way. It makes some of these songs sound like they were cut-and-pasted together.

This cd was always mentioned as having no real words and as being designed around a sort of "new vocal language" but listen to DAMAWOO and then compare it to ALEKE (track #14) on the cd THE SPIRIT CRIES: MUSIC FROM THE RAINFORESTS OF SOUTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN. There is much more than just a passing similarity between the two.

While I do think this cd is good it does not have the ancient, trance-like, dreaming-mind qualities of of the original PLANET DRUM cd, and just the way this one was recorded makes it sound a bit stale. I think with SUPRALINGUA Mickey was going for something that was part "World Music" and part "club music". If you want a cd that is more "electronic-groove" sounding then this is the one for you, but if you want one that is more "mind-altering" then the original PLANET DRUM is the cd you want to buy.

Mickey Hart combines indigineous voices, chants, and traditional instruments with contemporary and shaminstic drumbeats to create a special CD very aptly named "Supralingua" ... which to me, means, super voices and super music. At times, add to this, the the sounds of nature ... for instance, drops of water or the ambience of the rainforest. Take the voices of the Gyuto Monks (Buddhist) mix them with the didjeridu, flutes, Chinese erhu, add a def drum beat, mixed in with metal percussion, cluster drums, and bongos ... all played by world-class musicians and you have an idea of track #1. This CD reveals a newly emerging creative path for music, showing us how traditional and contemporary instruments combine, to reveal an existence where the journey is never quite complete ... but is continually evolving. Listening to the CD is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Implicitly accepting the theory that "world music" is popular because today's audiences like to hear singing in foreign languages, Mickey Hart continues his streak of consistently interesting side projects by releasing (Diga, Dafos, At the Edge, Planet Drum, Mystery Box and now) Supralingua. It's world music for every country in the world! Every song has vocals, but there is not one real word on the album. You have never heard anything like Supralingua. In addition to the vocals, which really do sound like they're in another language rather than just nonsense, nearly every track features a real-time performance by Hart on his sampling device RAMU, a danceable bassline from Bakithi Kumalo, extensive studio trickery and a bed of percussion from the worlds best drummers, including talking drum master Sikuru Adepoju and tabla master Zakir Hussain. There are also cameos by Airto, Graham Wiggins and The Gyuto Tantric Choir. The bonus CD accompanying the original release contains superfluous remixes by assorted techno gurus and a video to play on your computer featuring an interview with Mickey, who, in addition to releasing better solo albums, consistently spouts more jive than any of his bandmates in the Grateful Dead.

I am a fan of world music, trance/techno, and improvisational jam music. This album is the perfect synthesis of all these things. It's incredibly psychedelic and at many times breathtaking. Umasha is one of the most beautiful tracks I've ever heard. Bakithi Kumalo plays amazing electric bass throughout the album also. Buy this!

An incredible mix of drums, voice samples, electronic mastering and real life soul. bought it on a whim, on advice from a guy in the record store, and now i've just bought 3 more drum/mickey hart cds.... really really worth it. and this is a good price.

Incorporating his computer operated drum machine "RAMU", Mickey sets the tone for another compelling album. Though not as awe-inspiring as his previous "instrumental" efforts, the album is still a sound to experience.

The album's tone is more upbeat, with a lot of percussion as well as (mentioned before), the RAMU (computer processed instruments such as vocals, roto toms, bells & whistles, etc.).

The songs are greatly constructed, but it is not a CD to chill out to. It is an album to groove and dance to. A little more latin-flavored too. Amazing stuff here.

So, if you're into a CD that has a little more meat in the sound, get it. If you're looking for a CD to take you on a journey, I recommend some of Mickey's previous efforts as well as Spirit Into Sound.

Enjoy!

Not a huge fan of either the Grateful Dead or electronic samples, I was a little bit apprehensive about buying this disc. However, once I actually listened to it, I was hooked. Mickey Hart and his fellow musicians take us on a trip around the world with their unique blend of traditional African and South American percussion instruments and electronically-enhanced samples. It serves as excellent background, mood music. Check out "Yabu" featuring Babatunde Olatunji... Rhythmically hypnotic.

It's so refreshing to hear music so vibrant and detailed. It's so easy to let your mind wonder and put your self some place else with this CD.

Mickey Hart Serves up something very different again. This time bridging the gap of ancient and cutting edge "tribal" music. This sounds less spontaneous to me because of sampling. I'd like to hear an album like this all improvised in real time because I believe RAMU could shine in this setting, but you'll probably have to settle for a live show.

Listening to this CD made me realize what a forum for creativity the Grateful Dead really was for all members of the band. The rhythms and voices on this CD, especially on "Umayeyo", transported me to a jungle where sounds were orchestrated by a larger being. I look forward to seeing this music performed at the Wiltern Theater on October 3rd.