| This is the second volume of the almost-too-good-to-be-true collaboration between producer/keyboardist Burnt Friedman (of the electronica outfit Flanger) and drummer Jaki Leibezeit (from the seminal Krautrock band Can). SECRET RHYTHMS, VOL. 2 is more subtle than its predecessor, but that doesn't detract from its evocative, experimental sound-tapestries. Groove-based percussion lines, keyboard textures, guitars, clarinets, and other instruments create entrancing, ambient sonic events that work their power slowly but effectively.
Guest appearances from David Sylvian and guitarist Tim Molzer only serve to enhance the experience.
The Wire (p.58) - "[A] rich repository of immaculate, full frequency digital placement. Friedman's productions have an immediately recognizable sonic signature -- a fluid, translucent viscosity..."
This is the follow-up to Burnt Friedman & Jaki Liebezeit's first collaborative album Secret Rhythms, which came out on Nonplace in 2002. Employing the universal, secret rhythm of the 4/4 bar, Friedman & Liebezeit have been playing live all over the world, improving their cyclic grooves and creating new ones. The 8 tracks on Secret Rhythms 2 are no overt spectacular high-brow arrangement hellraisers -- while being tight and containing a large amount of curious suspense, these secret rhythms are playful, open, transparent, sequential, hypnotic even. In this respect, Friedman & Liebezeit lean to the world music side, without giving in to the temptation of any jazz instrumentation or even improvisation.
The first two pieces on Secret Rhythms 2 were released in May 2005 on the vinyl-only LP Out In The Sticks (NON 017LP) and appear here in completely new versions. The only vocal track on this album "The Librarian" is a collaboration with David Sylvian. The song appears in a different version on the album Snow Borne Sorrow of the band Nine Horses, consisting of Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Burnt Friedman on the label Samadhi Sound.
In addition to Friedman & Liebezeit, guitarist Tim Motzer weaves funky touches all the way through. Lined up for the group's live appearances and studio recordings is Hayden Chisholm on clarinet and melodica. Other guest musicians are Morten Gronvad (vibraharp), Daniel Schroeter (bass guitar) and Joseph Suchy (electric guitar). |