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HIS NAME IS ALIVE
Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute To Marion Brown (MP3)
SMMG 032 (2007)
HIS NAME IS ALIVE
Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute To Marion Brown (FLAC)
SMMG 032 FL (2007)
01. Sweet Earth Flying MP3
02. Juba Lee Brown
03. Capricorn Moon (Live)
04. November Cotton Flower
05. Bismillahi 'Rrahmani 'Rrahim
06. Geechee Recollections (Live)
07. Geechee Recollections
08. Sweet Earth Flying II (Live)
Released June 22, 2010.
Performed by:
Warn Defever – guitar, piano
Elliot Bergman – tenor saxophone, Rhodes
Jamie Saltsman – double bass
Justin Walter – trumpet
Jamie Easter – percussion
Dan Piccolo – drums, percussion
Michael Herbst – alto saxophone
Erik Hall – electric piano
Olman Piedra – congas, cajon
Originally conceived only as a single concert at the University of Michigan Museum of Art in 2004, His Name is Alive began recording Sweet Earth Flower shortly after that very successful evening. Although the connection between His Name is Alive and Marion Brown may not be obvious to some of the younger students, this is album is truly a very special release in either artist’s varied catalog.
His Name is Alive is probably best known for having been one of the few American bands signed to famed British label 4AD. HNIA’s sonic experiments in electro, folk, blues, r & b, pop, and indie, have left fans always guessing what direction the band will turn next. Their most popular recording was a song (recorded on a four-track cassette recorder) that was used on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire film, others may recognize the band from its collaborations with legendary animators, The Brothers Quay. HNIA has chosen to honor the music of Marion Brown (1935- ), saxophonist, composer and one of the great innovators of New Music. His body of work includes Geechee Recollections – a blending of childhood experiences in Georgia with traditional Gullah culture – to Bismallahi, a lyrical performance with composer Harold Budd, produced by Brian Eno. Although Brown appeared on John Coltrane’s Ascension album, performed alongside Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, and Archie Shepp and recorded his albums for IMPULSE!, ECM, Black Lion, and ESP, he remains largely an unsung hero of improvised music and avant-garde jazz.
On Sweet Earth Flower, His Name is Alive collaborates with members of Nomo and Antibalas for the project Album contains studio recordings and several live recordings Marion Brown has given the project his blessing. “I thought we should do it while he is alive. We’ve talked quite a bit about the project and he’s supported us all the way. His encouragement and insight has been incredible,” says His Name is Alive’s mainman Warn Defever.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you. You really understand me.” - Marion Brown
“FOUR STARS… Sweet Earth Flower is one of those rare moments when a restless talent like Defever, whose musical interests are all over the map can focus his vision on something outside the indie rock comfort zone and pull it off authentically." - Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
“Surprising is how Defever and the nine musicians performing with him manage to successfully channel the rootsy, psychedelic ambience of Marion Brown’s best work, without ever trying to directly mimic it. It’s a tribute album in the truest sense: one that captures the essence of the artist being honored, but without resorting to rote renditions.” - Jason Ferguson, Orlando Weekly
“If, like me, you had never heard of Marion Brown before listening to His Name Is Alive.s Sweet Earth Flower you.ll be amazed at brilliance of his music. Not only does that say something about the quality of his sound, but it also speaks volumes as to the abilities and attitude of His Name Is Alive. They were quite content with being the vehicle that carried the message of Marion Brown to a new generation, and to all those who had missed him the first time” - Richard Marcus, BlogCritics
The album is available in both MP3 and lossless FLAC. The 2007 CD is available HERE.
HIS NAME IS ALIVE
Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute To Marion Brown (MP3)
SMMG 032 (2007)
HIS NAME IS ALIVE
Sweet Earth Flower: A Tribute To Marion Brown (FLAC)
SMMG 032 FL (2007)
01. Sweet Earth Flying MP3
02. Juba Lee Brown
03. Capricorn Moon (Live)
04. November Cotton Flower
05. Bismillahi 'Rrahmani 'Rrahim
06. Geechee Recollections (Live)
07. Geechee Recollections
08. Sweet Earth Flying II (Live)
Released June 22, 2010.
Performed by:
Warn Defever – guitar, piano
Elliot Bergman – tenor saxophone, Rhodes
Jamie Saltsman – double bass
Justin Walter – trumpet
Jamie Easter – percussion
Dan Piccolo – drums, percussion
Michael Herbst – alto saxophone
Erik Hall – electric piano
Olman Piedra – congas, cajon
Originally conceived only as a single concert at the University of Michigan Museum of Art in 2004, His Name is Alive began recording Sweet Earth Flower shortly after that very successful evening. Although the connection between His Name is Alive and Marion Brown may not be obvious to some of the younger students, this is album is truly a very special release in either artist’s varied catalog.
His Name is Alive is probably best known for having been one of the few American bands signed to famed British label 4AD. HNIA’s sonic experiments in electro, folk, blues, r & b, pop, and indie, have left fans always guessing what direction the band will turn next. Their most popular recording was a song (recorded on a four-track cassette recorder) that was used on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire film, others may recognize the band from its collaborations with legendary animators, The Brothers Quay. HNIA has chosen to honor the music of Marion Brown (1935- ), saxophonist, composer and one of the great innovators of New Music. His body of work includes Geechee Recollections – a blending of childhood experiences in Georgia with traditional Gullah culture – to Bismallahi, a lyrical performance with composer Harold Budd, produced by Brian Eno. Although Brown appeared on John Coltrane’s Ascension album, performed alongside Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, and Archie Shepp and recorded his albums for IMPULSE!, ECM, Black Lion, and ESP, he remains largely an unsung hero of improvised music and avant-garde jazz.
On Sweet Earth Flower, His Name is Alive collaborates with members of Nomo and Antibalas for the project Album contains studio recordings and several live recordings Marion Brown has given the project his blessing. “I thought we should do it while he is alive. We’ve talked quite a bit about the project and he’s supported us all the way. His encouragement and insight has been incredible,” says His Name is Alive’s mainman Warn Defever.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you. You really understand me.” - Marion Brown
“FOUR STARS… Sweet Earth Flower is one of those rare moments when a restless talent like Defever, whose musical interests are all over the map can focus his vision on something outside the indie rock comfort zone and pull it off authentically." - Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
“Surprising is how Defever and the nine musicians performing with him manage to successfully channel the rootsy, psychedelic ambience of Marion Brown’s best work, without ever trying to directly mimic it. It’s a tribute album in the truest sense: one that captures the essence of the artist being honored, but without resorting to rote renditions.” - Jason Ferguson, Orlando Weekly
“If, like me, you had never heard of Marion Brown before listening to His Name Is Alive.s Sweet Earth Flower you.ll be amazed at brilliance of his music. Not only does that say something about the quality of his sound, but it also speaks volumes as to the abilities and attitude of His Name Is Alive. They were quite content with being the vehicle that carried the message of Marion Brown to a new generation, and to all those who had missed him the first time” - Richard Marcus, BlogCritics
The album is available in both MP3 and lossless FLAC. The 2007 CD is available HERE.