The
Gilded Serpent presents...Review of Americanistan CD
"Mosaic"
by Yasmela
The music group Americanistan, based in Eugene, Oregon, is well known to audiences throughout the Northwest. The group has been steadily building a following throughout Oregon and Washington and has just released its first major CD - "Mosaic".
Mosaic is well-recorded and contains a variety of short-to-medium length rhythmical pieces.
Some outstanding selections on Mosaic include Delilah's Tune, which is a very nice piece, and Zamana. There are also some trance-style pieces, including the Moroccan Trance Fusion in 6/8. I particularly enjoyed the 7/8 rhythm of Rania's Seven. Americanistan plays well together and its strength emanates through its authentic interpretation of these classic Middle-Eastern tunes.
I was not as impressed with the group's improvisational work, but dancers who are looking for steady, secure, rhythmical backup for improvisational and interpretive dances may be delighted.
 Track 2! N'Etana |
Mosaic does fill
a niche. The songs remind me of some of the wonderful, mystical, improvisational
music I heard during the late 60's and 70's. Mosaic hearkens back to
a freer, simpler era. The music is very danceable and is tailor-made
for improvisational dancers, or for dancers who want less emphasis on
precise, frenetic tempo changes and prefer to "just 
dance."
This CD will certainly be a welcome addition to a Tribal dancer's music
library.
A note for the next issue..that cover has got to go! I could barely read the song titles and I would like more information about the musicians and the instruments used on each song. Perhaps, keep the cover and make the inside simpler? I felt like I was lost in a tie-dye haze. However, the music IS a Mosaic.
For
puchase and more information see:
The Americanistan
Website
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