Fourth World, Vol. 2: Dream Theory in Malaya

Fourth World, Vol. 2: Dream Theory in Malaya

ASIN: B000003S2I

Track Listings

1. Chor Moire

2. Courage

3. Dream Theory

4. Datu Bintung at Jelong

5. Malay

6. These Times...

7. Gift of Fire

Tracks:

Chor Moire
Courage
Dream Theory
Datu Bintung at Jelong
Malay
These Times...
Gift of Fire

Customer Reviews:

Sounds like a sounds effects cd.......2006-06-13

Since there were no sound clips I will try explain what I heard.Track one sounds like my cd player was jammed.Track 2 was a constant fog horn Track 3 more continous horns a train horn?Track 4 sounds like my cd player is stuck again same sounds over and over.Track 5 is sounds that could be on horror films repeated for 10 minutes Track 6 church bells ringing over human sounds Track 7 noise with a beat. When you fast forward these tracks they sound like they do at normal speed.I fail to hear any trumpet.I had to check my cd to see if this was Hassells cd or was it some sound affects cd.Hassells Maarifa Street is 5 stars its hard to believe hes the same guy who made this unlistenable noise.I bet you cant listen to this cd all the way through.

Hassell's High Point: Rhythmic Variety.......2005-10-01

If you are looking for a good introduction to the incredibly original work of Jon Hassell, this is a great place to start. For the uninitiated, Hassell is a trumpet player who uses the instrument more as a sound-generating device than in the usual sense of playing trumpet. He uses a lot of vocal techniques when he plays, then further runs his sound through a barrage of processors to get very un-trumpet-like sounds. A truly unique musician and composer.

Just before recording this LP, Hassell had been working with Brian Eno and Talking Heads, and he absorbed their ability to craft strong world-rhythms. This gave his meandering compositions a grounding and propulsion they heretofore lacked. Eno and company's influence can be heard in the slight-of-hand backing tracks here, where the percussion and bass play shifting melodies that constantly intermingle like cards being shuffled.

What makes this stand out from his other work, however, is the way each song's rhythm creates a unique sound world for that particular song. Some of his other work tends to have a sameness of sound over the entire project (with each project sounding different from the others). Here, each track shifts into its own thing, and each song takes you on a sonic voyage and leaves a unique melodic imprint on your brain. Yes, there is a sort of overall feel, a psychedelic swirling of processed trumpet sounds set against rhythms at once earthy and primitive, yet urban and experimental. Yet you can feel each track stretching in a different direction, giving the album a variety that results in an easy-to-digest listening experience.

Still under the influence of Eno's production, Hassell also shows us his ability to create using post-production and sound-shaping techniques. I dare anyone to find me something that sounds like "Chor Moire!" The texture of the music here reminds me of the best of Eno's ambient work, but with more of a rhythmic thrust and organic feel to it. Yet the studio manipulations never take away the warmth of what is essentially a live-in-studio, greatly improvised jazz recording.

I recommend this highly for anyone who likes music that is subtle, innovative and beyond category. If only Miles Davis had been listening to Jon Hassell instead of Michael Jackson before he died, he might have kept his position at the forefront of progressive trumpet music.

give me a break.......2004-04-14

notwithstanding the other reviews, when i put this on my player i had to check to see if it was functioning properly. rarely have i heard such a cacophony described as music. pure noise.

Beyond music.......2002-12-05

John Hassel's music cannot be described in ordinary terms, so I'm left only with earnest hand-waving. This "music" has the power to transport body and soul from the comfort of your own sofa. Jon's entire opus is extraordinary, but this CD really has some kinda magic.

Strangely, I most often put this CD on when I'm not feeling well. Its healing powers always helps me get through a fever. It's like a 40 minute session with my own private shaman.

This is music best heard in a reclining position with the lights down low. Enjoy.

Suitable Companion to Fourth World Vol. 1.......2001-12-21

This is "Volume 2" and they could easily have been packaged as a double LP set.

Here, Hassell does his own thing without Brian Eno as producer. As on succeeding LPs, he pursues a cleaner and somewhat louder version of his signature sound. Here, it works well and again takes us into realms of trance that no one had taken us to before. Enough of the LP sounds outstanding and slightly different from the music on Volume 1 to make this worthwhile in its own right.

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music