Customer Reviews

The Surgeon Of The Nightsky Restores Dead Things By The Power Of Sound

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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This is, simply, one of Jon Hassell's GREAT albums! Totally unique...ultra sophisticated...deeply primitive...complex in the way that usually only Classical music is. In fact, when this first came out on vinyl...that's where I had to go to find it! Yes, the Classical section at my local Tower Records! Of course, back then, no one seemed quite clear just where Hassell belonged...rock, jazz, new age, classical, world??? Probably ALL of these are true, but it did make locating his latest album difficult at times. And this illustrates the remarkable combination of sounds and rhythms that all of Hassell's work contains. To over-simplify, take those raw African or Malay drums and pair them with *the* most digitally-altered trumpet textures you will probably ever hear. Now, take that and add a live performance group where every member is equally intelligent and unique. That's what you have on this CD. The composition works perfectly. And it *really* is different *every* time you hear it. Truly GREAT music. Don't miss this one.

seems mellow peaceful and contemplative as if he realizes there is pain in the world and wishes to play to you a song that does not forget that people are hurting or that he can find beauty in the world i think that if you like listening to the cars go by at night in a light rain or like to sit by the ocean and listen to the surf with the stars above and the lights of a distant city on the horizon that you might like this, if you are reading this jon, thank you for your work.

Rich, lovely, and fiercly original music that tells stories of vaguely familiar worlds, but from such a skewed perspective that one often finally discovers wonderful things that have always been there, but to that point, unseen. And Hassel's generous expression of these things reveals beauty that often wouldn't be recognized as such. My good friend calls the music "broken" (not as a compliment). And it is in a way a celebration of the beauty of many things; some of which are, in fact, broken.

He does seem to be receiving messages from the ether here and laying them out for the audience ...

In its time quite an original and outstanding album. Nowadays, music like this ("Ambient") has become a formula and disseminated by countless artists ... still, perhaps Hassell's original conception here can still move a new listener. You'll have to tell me. The first track is particularly "accessible" as it contains a repeating bassline which is quite nice.

Haunting, hypnotic, trance music from Jon Hassell. His so-called "Fourth World" style melds ritualistic and tribal rhythms with "jazz" (for lack of a better word), but not any sort of jazz you might expect. Hassell's heavily processed trumpet drones, wails, and whispers over the atmospheres. Beautiful. Highest recommendation.

Excellent musical illustration of his Fourth World musical efforts.His trumpet voice will shade in your head too long.Feel the power of this new age sound.