Formed out of the rhythmic core of his famed Red Orchidstra (whose version of the theme from the seminal '71 Brit gangster movie 'Get Carter' is acknowledged as a groove classic) BB DAVIS' MYSTERIES OF THE REVOLUTION began as collaboration between BB and long-time musical associate French virtuoso keyboardist DAN BIRO and a close colleague, the late and hugely lamented bassist MARK SMITH.
BB, whose largesse and unmistakable electric performances are legendary, has grown in stature from the underground and whilst MOTR's eponymous album, in part, evokes the spirit of 70's fusion 'psychedelica electronica' it's also a journey of intense, emotional, passionate playing by all three protagonists who firmly place their own individual, indelible stamp on the music.
Yet MOTR's not on any overt nostalgia trip. Far from it. Sure, the influences are there, but equally it's about sonic energy, edgy, powerful compositions, and attitude. Never afraid to push boundaries or show two fingers to the musical establishment it constantly moves on.
Currently they're hard at work on the new double-album MOTR 2, which will feature the suite 'Symphony Of The Spirits' as well as guest artists and a new personnel line up.
DEBUT ALBUM/TRACK INFO
Journeying from the light - the chorale intro to 'Welcome' - through to the dark weirdness of 'Moonfrog's Tucker' [a slight caress to Beefheart] the album takes a semi-filmic mystical/urban ride to the apocalyptic 'Have You Seen Enough?' thence backing into the light once more with the ethereal end-piece 'Evolution'.
Whether it be the earnest, full-on, passionate Hammond growling of 'The Crunch', the subtle, driving 'Romantica', the Arabic flavoured 'Secret Fire' [inspired by a stay in the Moroccan old port city of Essaouira] the uniquely enigmatic 'The Elevation Of Mr Handy' or the slinky vibe of 'Storius Sensorius' each track displays the unit's oneness and sense of purpose.
As well as its retro-psychedelic experimentation the album also features BB's tour-de-force flute/beatvox piece 'Big Budd'ah' [dedicated to one of his greatest influences, Rahsaan Roland Kirk] which continues to stun audiences everywhere.
Carter Stein
1. Welcome
5. Moonfrog's Tucker
8. Romantica
11. Evolution
CD AVAILABLE FROM:
Wayside Music - iTunes - CD Baby - Amazon.co.uk - Amazon MP3 - Abstract Logix - Napster - Synphonic