Since Time Is Gravity (Eremite Records)
Natural Information Society
Released April 14, 2023
Pitchfork 30 Best Jazz and Experimental Albums of 2023
AllMusic Favorite Jazz Albums 2023
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mPhc8fPnczra1CKpxbYjtD2GsxQiPqMdY
Spotify:
About:
The next chapter of the Natural Information Society is here. Since Time Is Gravity, credited to Natural Information Society Community Ensemble with Ari Brown, presents a newly expanded manifestation of acclaimed composer & multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams’ nearly 15 year, 7 albums-&-counting mainest ensemble. Joining the core NIS of Abrams (guimbri & bass), Lisa Alvarado (harmonium) Mikel Patrick Avery (drums) & Jason Stein (bass clarinet) are Hamid Drake (conga, tabla, tar), Josh Berman & Ben Lamar Gay (cornets), Nick Mazzarella & Mai Sugimoto (alto saxophones & flute), Kara Bershad (harp) & Chicago living legend of the tenor saxophone Ari Brown. Recorded live to tape at Electrical Audio & The Graham Foundation, cover painting Vibratory Cartography: Nepantla, by Lisa Alvarado. 2023-04-14 release date. eremite edition pressed on premium audiophile-quality 120 gram vinyl at RTI from Kevin Gray / Cohearent Audio lacquers. Mastered by Helge Sten, Audio Virus, Oslo. First eremite edition of 1799 copies. First 400 direct order LPs come with eremite’s signature retro-audiophile inner-sleeves, hand screen-printed by Alan Sherry, Siwa Studios, northern New Mexico. CD edition & EU x2LP edition available thru our EU partner, Aguirre records, Belgium.
Track Listing:
1. Moontide Chorus 06:41
2. Is 11:39
3. Murmuration 18:05
4. Wane 04:31
5. Stigmergy 13:04
6. Immemorial 08:13
7. Wax 03:17
8. Gravity 07:52
Personnel:
Joshua Abrams: bass, guimbri
Lisa Alvarado: harmonium
Mikel Patrick Avery: drums
Josh Berman: cornet
Kara Bershad: harp
Ari Brown: tenor saxophone
Hamid Drake: conga, tabla, tar
Ben Lamar Gay: cornet
Nick Mazzarella: alto saxophone
Jason Stein: bass clarinet
Mai Sugimoto: alto saxophone, flute
Recorded August, 24th, 2021 at Chicago, Electrical Audio and May 18th, 2021 at Graham Foundation
Engineers: Greg Norman (Electrical), Cooper Crain (Graham Foundation)
Producers: Abrams & Michael Ehlers
Cover painting: Lisa Alvarado (Vibratory Cartography: Nepantla)
Review:
There’s a reason they’re called Natural Information Society: this long-running Chicago ensemble is less concerned with virtuosic solo showcases than communal rhythm, each voice contributing equally to the hypnotic whole. Still, like any healthy democracy, there is room for individual expression, whether it’s tenor saxophonist Ari Brown weaving long, bluesy, and contemplative melodies above the din or bandleader Joshua Abrams spinning out a new variation with practically every percolating repetition of his basslines. The pieces on Since Time Is Gravity unfold patiently over long stretches, focused on gradual rather than sudden shifts: You might start in one headspace and find yourself somewhere completely different a few minutes later, without ever noticing that anything has changed.
Andy Cush (Pitchfork)
