One welcome re-release and a new release of two legendary pattern music classics. The hypnotic and exotic
Visitations (1973), subtitled "a 16-Track Multi-Textured Environmental Soundscape," originally on Chatham Square Records, features slowly changing wind instrument (saxes, wood flutes, etc.) sweeps and sighs with a dense and gradually evolving timbre of rolling cymbals, bells, shakers and rattles, environmental sounds (water, etc.). The newly released live concert performance of
Thirties (1970) at the London ICES Festival (August 19, 1972) features nine percussionists (on tuned and un-tuned instruments), two keyboardists, and electric violin. The structure is built around subdivisions of the number 30 (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30) contained within the 32-beat cycle played on just two alternating notes or ranges (C, A, or a high sound and a low sound). Marvellous and unpredictable beat patterns and timbres result as the performers freely move among the notations coordinated only by a set of four 16ths played in unison by the whole ensemble. This London performance evolves spontaneously through sensations and textures of machine rock, Gamelan, progressive jazz, etc. never losing its distinctive, hypnotic pulse and character: a feeling of eternal heartbeat and thought. (See also Gibson's deeply evocative sax solo Ballade in the collection A Confederacy of Dances, Vol. 2). ~ "Blue" Gene Tyranny