JP Video - "November"
During my time as a contributor and user of various musical instruments, I have met with and had the pleasure of knowing some unique and interesting individuals. One of these is Joseph Provede aka JP Video. JP has been an Alesis Fusion user almost since it's introduction and has been a valuable, amusing and challenging contributor to it's community, fiercely defending the Fusion's honour with much credible vigour.
Here is a clip or two of him improvising on the Fusion...
This EMMY nominated artist has also worked with the likes of Anthony Quinn, Sofia Loren, Bianca Jagger, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Tito Puente, Gloria Estaban & Edward James Olmos
So anyways, JP and I have spoken often over the last year or two, both on the forums and in private and a few months back, he sent me a lovely package all the way from New "Joisey" :o) In this package was his latest CD, "November" as well as some interesting background on himself as an artist and the kindly soul also sent me a signed copy of his first single, released in 1981, entitled "Given It All Back" b/w "Video Video". Quite a collectors item on eBay now, this single has been credited by many as an early influence, especially on the techno scene.
So, in exchange for this generous gift, all JP asked for was a review of "November" to which I gladly agreed. However, my busy work schedule prevented me from giving it a full and proper listen for some time so it is only now that I can fulfil my end of the bargain.
"November" is a 5 track CD, although track one, "The Kecksberg Suite", is a medley of 7 pieces. The entire album was almost entirely improvised on JP's Kurzweil Mk.XII and is essentially a blend of electronica, New Age and Prog Jazz with some beat poetry thrown in for good measure. I guess you could call JP a conceptual artist as he also dabbles in film and other visual arts. The cover for November was designed and created by JP himself.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I popped "November" into the CD player. The promotional blurb that came with it described a quite diverse image and the first few pieces of "The Kecksberg Suite" are certainly a blend of jazz & folk stylings overlaid with commentary lifted from interviews and speeches regarding the alleged UFO crash in Pennsylvania, 1965. I love the obsession shown by Americans in the 50's and 60's to UFO's and this piece is very interesting on that level alone. It has a certain "Twilight Zone" feel to it. The musical themes and juxtapositions require the listener to pay attention otherwise things start to get messy and muddy, and this is not a criticism, but an indication of the complexity behind the piece.
The rest of track one is comprised of the theme to JP's movie "Sinatra Undead" which has more of a traditional compositional structure, both musically and rhythmically. Following this is the disturbingly named "Drinking A Woman's Menstruation Blood". Don't be put off by the title however, as this piece of classic beat poetry, narrated over jazz noodlings on the piano is all about those nights you spend tossing and turning, trying to sleep, whilst all the time, the TV is affecting your lucid dreamstate. It has the essence of Greenwich Village all over it. Well, that's how I see it, anyway ! :o)
Rounding off the first track is a continuation of the jazzy background to the beat poem.
Track 2, "Niburu (The 12th Planet)" is topped and tailed by snippets of actual Military press conferences surrounding the Roswell UFO crash and between these is a very atmospheric piece of electronica which truly evokes the image of deep, colourful space and the orbit of the planet which lends the track it's name.
Track 3, "Suspended State Of Belief" is an organ heavy, yet atmospheric piece. Heavy in reverb and sonic movement, this is another piece of ambient beauty, invoking vivid sonic images.
"The Jungle Ghost" opens with the sonic atmosphere of a dark, damp forest, resplendent with it's foliage and living inhabitants, slowly growing into a crescendo of violins, horns and bells and culminating with tribal chanting, before falling back into the all encompassing ambience of the jungle.
Closing the album is the title track, "November", a beautiful piece on piano, conjuring images of floating over streams and rivers, the strong smell of dew in the air, then moving off wildly into agitated and frentic crescendos before coming to rest in a gentle fashion.
JP describes the concept of November as "not of this earth" and there is certainly a distinct air of otherworldiness in this entire piece. In places, it's the sort of piece that would sit well on beautiful natural world images of the earth in all it's splendour. The violent pianos and organs easily backgrounding storms and violent seas, yet the soft pads and airy, electronic tones would compliment visions of green pastures, starry skies and soaring plains and mountains.
This is an ambitious piece that requires the listener to pay heed and notice the nuances in it's composition. It is not something that can be listened to in the background. It requires dedication and intelligence and an open mind. If I still partook of the "green leaf", I'd be skinning up right now ;o)
The more I listen to this album, the more I hear, and I love that kind of music. It guarantees repeat listening and continued enjoyment.
For more information on JP Video and his work, visit the following sites...
JPVIDEO
Wavefactory
Sinatra Undead
JPVIDEO @ Soundclick
Or email JP at jpvideo@warwick.net
Here is a clip or two of him improvising on the Fusion...
This EMMY nominated artist has also worked with the likes of Anthony Quinn, Sofia Loren, Bianca Jagger, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Tito Puente, Gloria Estaban & Edward James Olmos
So anyways, JP and I have spoken often over the last year or two, both on the forums and in private and a few months back, he sent me a lovely package all the way from New "Joisey" :o) In this package was his latest CD, "November" as well as some interesting background on himself as an artist and the kindly soul also sent me a signed copy of his first single, released in 1981, entitled "Given It All Back" b/w "Video Video". Quite a collectors item on eBay now, this single has been credited by many as an early influence, especially on the techno scene.
So, in exchange for this generous gift, all JP asked for was a review of "November" to which I gladly agreed. However, my busy work schedule prevented me from giving it a full and proper listen for some time so it is only now that I can fulfil my end of the bargain.
"November" is a 5 track CD, although track one, "The Kecksberg Suite", is a medley of 7 pieces. The entire album was almost entirely improvised on JP's Kurzweil Mk.XII and is essentially a blend of electronica, New Age and Prog Jazz with some beat poetry thrown in for good measure. I guess you could call JP a conceptual artist as he also dabbles in film and other visual arts. The cover for November was designed and created by JP himself.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I popped "November" into the CD player. The promotional blurb that came with it described a quite diverse image and the first few pieces of "The Kecksberg Suite" are certainly a blend of jazz & folk stylings overlaid with commentary lifted from interviews and speeches regarding the alleged UFO crash in Pennsylvania, 1965. I love the obsession shown by Americans in the 50's and 60's to UFO's and this piece is very interesting on that level alone. It has a certain "Twilight Zone" feel to it. The musical themes and juxtapositions require the listener to pay attention otherwise things start to get messy and muddy, and this is not a criticism, but an indication of the complexity behind the piece.
The rest of track one is comprised of the theme to JP's movie "Sinatra Undead" which has more of a traditional compositional structure, both musically and rhythmically. Following this is the disturbingly named "Drinking A Woman's Menstruation Blood". Don't be put off by the title however, as this piece of classic beat poetry, narrated over jazz noodlings on the piano is all about those nights you spend tossing and turning, trying to sleep, whilst all the time, the TV is affecting your lucid dreamstate. It has the essence of Greenwich Village all over it. Well, that's how I see it, anyway ! :o)
Rounding off the first track is a continuation of the jazzy background to the beat poem.
Track 2, "Niburu (The 12th Planet)" is topped and tailed by snippets of actual Military press conferences surrounding the Roswell UFO crash and between these is a very atmospheric piece of electronica which truly evokes the image of deep, colourful space and the orbit of the planet which lends the track it's name.
Track 3, "Suspended State Of Belief" is an organ heavy, yet atmospheric piece. Heavy in reverb and sonic movement, this is another piece of ambient beauty, invoking vivid sonic images.
"The Jungle Ghost" opens with the sonic atmosphere of a dark, damp forest, resplendent with it's foliage and living inhabitants, slowly growing into a crescendo of violins, horns and bells and culminating with tribal chanting, before falling back into the all encompassing ambience of the jungle.
Closing the album is the title track, "November", a beautiful piece on piano, conjuring images of floating over streams and rivers, the strong smell of dew in the air, then moving off wildly into agitated and frentic crescendos before coming to rest in a gentle fashion.
JP describes the concept of November as "not of this earth" and there is certainly a distinct air of otherworldiness in this entire piece. In places, it's the sort of piece that would sit well on beautiful natural world images of the earth in all it's splendour. The violent pianos and organs easily backgrounding storms and violent seas, yet the soft pads and airy, electronic tones would compliment visions of green pastures, starry skies and soaring plains and mountains.
This is an ambitious piece that requires the listener to pay heed and notice the nuances in it's composition. It is not something that can be listened to in the background. It requires dedication and intelligence and an open mind. If I still partook of the "green leaf", I'd be skinning up right now ;o)
The more I listen to this album, the more I hear, and I love that kind of music. It guarantees repeat listening and continued enjoyment.
For more information on JP Video and his work, visit the following sites...
JPVIDEO
Wavefactory
Sinatra Undead
JPVIDEO @ Soundclick
Or email JP at jpvideo@warwick.net
posted by Failed Muso at
1:40 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home