As L. Ron Hubbard would say, “very something or other”. I was reminded of the beat poetry heard in A Bucket of Blood. The ensemble is lovely. With Viola and bowed Bass we are taken back to the sacred realm of the “Old” music. Where a story teller shares visions of another world. In this sense, it’s a timeless music. I wouldn’t be surprised if the drummer is a witch. Or a sculptor.

The story teller, Eliot Cardinaux, is a Jesuit at heart. I was sure of this instantly. References to sickles falling inspired an image of a revolving Madame Troussaud Stalin decked out in fine white regalia. I smiled knowing I was in tender musical hands as this ensemble was capable of evoking such unusual imagery. Strange musicians in forests and the ghosts of young Sicilian women with round belladonna eyes laughing, dancing in odd ways. My suspicions about the story teller were confirmed in the track “Conspiring Psychic”:

“eradicate witnesses
to this here calliope cashing in…
…the tendrils of this radioactive
forest speaking”

A form of initiatory music. I felt grateful for the experience. The album comes with a chapbook of poetry and photography. Help support the Great Work.

Eliot Cardinaux – voice, piano
Mat Maneri – viola
Thomas Morgan – bass
Flin van Hemmen – drums, percussion, cymbals
Monica Frissel – Photography

Recorded by Tom Tedesco at Tedesco Studios, Paramus, NJ, April 13th, 2014.
Mixed by Eivind Opsvik at Brooklyn Underground.
Mastered by Nate Wood.
Photography by Michelle Arcila.
Design by Espen Friberg.
Released on Loyal Label.