Rocket Shop
MandoMorphosis (US,2009)***'
"This project started with a simple goal – to harness the talents of the group in a spirit of adventure. The record takes many twists and turns, ranging from high-energy tunes with traditional roots, to free-wheeling jams, to fresh arrangements of classical works, to spontaneous group improvisations. While the music is mandocentric."
It is a very original and challenging idea to bring together seven mandolin players to improvise or try to explore certain possibilities mostly based upon the styles/schools the players were used to playing in (blues, folk and bluegrass,..), and with a few new possibilities (classical baroque, free improvisation with certain new melodic –high toned- combinations, and some improvisation based upon the raga idea). The result is fresh and joyful with a noticeable obvious joy in the making/playing. The free excursions are never too weird not to remain enjoyable and recognisable, as being never too far away from the first main house of the genres. Nice!
