Colin Fisher & Brandon Valdivia's Freedom Jazz//Global Psych//Face Melt duo is back with another release (think this is the forth sooo far). 4 un-named, mostly acoustic instrumentation that leads you through forests and valleys of bliss n' joy till you reach the edge of earth. Jump off or float above. Either way this is one hell of an epic ride!
>>>
check the very awesome review from Foxy Digitalis and local scene writer and lover, Bryon 'HazyComet' Hayes!!
Not the Wind, Not the Flag, “Live at 6 Nassau”
March 17, 2011
First, an excerpt from “The Gateless Gate,” a collection of Zen koans compiled in the 13th century:
Two monks were watching a flag flapping in the wind. One said to the other, “The flag is moving.” The other replied, “The wind is moving.” Huineng overheard this. He said, “Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.”
Colin Fisher and Brandon Valdivia are two of Toronto’s most active and broad-minded improvisers. Both of these stalwart players are actively engaged in a variety of projects that encompass a wide swath of the musical landscape. As a duo, they embrace many of our world’s cultures with a deep sense of reverence, seeking out instruments whose origins lie far from this mall-filled, highway-lined continent we call North America. Their ethno-jazz offerings are always ear-pleasing, and a Not the Wind, Not the Flag live show is not to be missed.
This cassette comes courtesy of the relatively young Healing Power imprint and features four extended jams laid to tape by Toronto’s resident underground producer, James Anderson. Each track is built around a percussive keystone – courtesy of Valdivia – accompanied by either wind or string-based improvisations from Fisher. The percussion is loose and roiling, but never totally boils over into blatant histrionics – always calm and collected, Valdivia proves his mastery over whatever instrument he’s playing. Fisher’s melodies wrap vine-like around whatever lies in their path, always growing and seeking out new directions to travel. As the duo commune with their surroundings, joyful tones emanate from within them. Their music is pure spirituality: untainted and achingly beautiful.
HEALING POWER
10/10
Two monks were watching a flag flapping in the wind. One said to the other, “The flag is moving.” The other replied, “The wind is moving.” Huineng overheard this. He said, “Not the wind, not the flag; mind is moving.”
Colin Fisher and Brandon Valdivia are two of Toronto’s most active and broad-minded improvisers. Both of these stalwart players are actively engaged in a variety of projects that encompass a wide swath of the musical landscape. As a duo, they embrace many of our world’s cultures with a deep sense of reverence, seeking out instruments whose origins lie far from this mall-filled, highway-lined continent we call North America. Their ethno-jazz offerings are always ear-pleasing, and a Not the Wind, Not the Flag live show is not to be missed.
This cassette comes courtesy of the relatively young Healing Power imprint and features four extended jams laid to tape by Toronto’s resident underground producer, James Anderson. Each track is built around a percussive keystone – courtesy of Valdivia – accompanied by either wind or string-based improvisations from Fisher. The percussion is loose and roiling, but never totally boils over into blatant histrionics – always calm and collected, Valdivia proves his mastery over whatever instrument he’s playing. Fisher’s melodies wrap vine-like around whatever lies in their path, always growing and seeking out new directions to travel. As the duo commune with their surroundings, joyful tones emanate from within them. Their music is pure spirituality: untainted and achingly beautiful.
HEALING POWER
10/10
