Steve Coleman - Myths, Modes and Means

One of a trio of RCA CDs taken from altoist Steve Coleman's week at Paris's Hot Brass Club, three of the six performances on this set ("Finger of God," "Song of the Beginnings" and "Transits") are over 19 minutes long, and, with the exception of a rap on "The Initiate" and one during the last part of "Song of the Beginnings," this is a jazz set. On "Finger of God," Yassir Chadly's spiritual chant is followed by some intense Coleman alto over a drone by the keyboards. Other selections feature passionate free funk with plenty of Coleman alto and Ralph Alessi trumpet solos; Vijay Iyer's spooky keyboards and Miya Masaoka's koto are assets in the ensembles. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

The Mystic Rhythm Society is dedicated to exploring the structure of the universe and expressing these forms through music. Steve Coleman brought the musicians together in 1994 as a result of a desire to explore the essential ethereal relationships between humanity and creation. For this special purpose a unique group of people had to be assembled. The musicians, each in their own way, had individually matured to the point of seeing music as a language that is capable of expressing our existence on many levels. The challenge for Steve and the musicians was to unify these varying conceptions under a guiding philosophy and then express these ideas through sound. It would be pointless to go on about the technical nature of this music as the original inspiration was perceived through vision, and it is the vision that is the point. The main idea is that the universe creates impressions, a kind of imprint, at any given time relative to a given place. The goal of The Mystic Rhythm Society is to capture the essence of these impressions using analogous musical forms and structures, then convey the various feelings, thoughts and experiences of the musicians through musical compositions constructed of specific universal impressions. Most of the compositions were conceived spontaneously within the sonic structures representing these impressions. This recording represents an initial move in this direction and is sure to influence any subsequent music of Steve Coleman. The lofty goal of the musicians was actually felt and expressed by many members of the audience present during these performances. It is the hope of all present on this recording that you enjoy the music and that you also can experience, through sound, the wonders of unity. - from the CD cover

Artist: Steve Coleman and The Mystic Rhythm Society
Album: Myths, Modes and Means
Year: 1995
Label: RCA
Total time: 75:40

Personnel:
Steve Coleman (Alto Saxophone)
Ralph Alessi (Trumpet)
Andy Milne (Piano and Keyboards)
Reggie Washington (Bass)
Gene Lake (Drums)
Vijay Iyer (Keyboards)
Miya Masaoka (Koto)
Josh Jones (Percussion)
Ramesh Shotham (Percussion)
Kokayi (Lyricist)
Yassir Chadly (Vocals and Percussion)

Tracks:
1. Mystic Dub 2:06
2. Finger of God 24:37
3. The Initiate 3:50
4. Madras 3:43
5. Song of the Beginnings 19:16
6. Numerology 1:42
7. Transits 20:23
All compositions by Steve Coleman

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