The Neurons -
Dance
From
time to time I find music which is unusual, unique and original. Not a
copy of anything, a pathfinder and pioneer. Music that realizes new
ideas, instruments or styles. I am talking about groups like Yulara,
Praful or 3rd Force. The Neurons are the musicians Paul Adams and Dave
Hoffman. Dave is a freelance musician in Illinois and since 1991
has been the trumpet and Flugelhorn soloist with The Ray Charles
Orchestra. Paul Adams became interested in building ethnic and
exotic musical instruments as a student of Ethnomusicology under Dr.
Joel Maring at Southern Illinois University. With this knowledge he is
not only be able to build fantastic instruments but also to create new
music.
"As
a painter may not wish to paint in oils for an entire career, David
and I enjoy covering the canvas within many musical idioms. New Age,
Meditative, World, Ambient, Acoustic, Folk, Jazz, can all have
elements of beauty." "Dance" is the realization of this
idea of two unusual musicians and individuals.
Wild
Men Of Borneo is an extremely energetic tune with a flowing
rhythm, sound samples of tribal chants, Dave Hoffman's solos on
trumpet and muted trumpet, pushing flute and a dark bass all mixed up
to what I would call the ultimate dance hit. To experience the whole
soundscape of this song I urgently recommend to listen with a headset.
Do you like Spanish flavor
with some electronic gimmicks? Than jump into Luminosity.
The lead melody is performed with an acoustic guitar in the style of
Peter White garnished with keyboard and trumpet sound soon meandering
into a bizarre electronic guitar sound.
Friends of Peter White and
Marc Antoine will like Spanish Horizon. A
classical smooth jazz tune with that typical acoustic guitar sound.
The tune is ennobled by Dave's trumpet solo and enriched by overdubbed
electric guitar sound accompanied by Paul's humming.
On Sahara
Caravan Paul opens his rhythm and sound treasury. Flutes,
sitars, drums, didgeridoos, bells all woven to an eclectic oriental
tapestry creamed with Dave's muted trumpet.
Dance
(Fire And Friends) has a significant Rock attitude. Electronic
music in the style of Tangerine Dream is supporting the lead melody.
The flute is in an native American Indian style, smooth and hard
guitar riffs are interfering. With great respect I am listening to
Dave's trumpet solo.
Shuffle
And Suspense is a nice example of Paul's elegant combination of
sound samples, Indian bells, flutes, trumpet and more in a Shuffle
style.
Miles
Redcloud based on African rhythm, mixed with Indian flute and
sing culture to an irresistible magical song, has a certain similarity
to 3rd Force's music.
Diamonds
And Pearls are prestigious goods. This song stands in the
tradition of groups like 10CC and Wax. The melody is captivating and
hooky.
What would happen when
Paul Hardcastle would meet Yulara, Herb Alpert, Pink Floyd and Ryuichi
Sakamoto? Funky Tao Duty is a creative
answer. Unbelievable how easily Paul mixed hundreds of styles into one
song. And I recognize the vanishing rhythm to the end of the song as a
cite of Timmy Thomas' "Why Can We Live Together"? Very
sophisticated.
A Pixelated Irish Groove
melts Medieval folk melodies with African drum culture, monk choirs
(Greetings to Michael Cretu's Enigma) and Electronic sound.
On Island
Girl flamenco guitar sound meets African drum beat, Bali temple
bells, Dave's jazzy trumpet input and female vocals in a strange
language.
This album is still a
secret tip. Spread the word. This album is satisfying brain and ears.
