Posts Tagged ‘ Joshua Abrams ’

Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society: October 4, 2019 Union Pool

October 29, 2019
By

It seems reductive to call Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society “jazz,” but language has limits that music does not. To quote our friend Eric PH in his own earlier review, “Mandatory Reality, the latest double-LP from Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society, sounds like a band erasing borders.” I couldn’t agree more — and this night’s single session, dubbed “Surveil Echo Analeptic” by Abrams, plumbs yet more deep territory, incorporating elements of drone, traditional North African music and, yes, jazz into a hypnotic moment. Joined on this night at Union Pool by the very special guest Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White, etc.), Abrams (on the guimbri), Lisa Alvarado (harmonium), Jason Stein (bass clarinet) and White created a piece that felt free and otherworldly, but no less meticulous; Abrams is a master at creating an environment that elevates all players rather than restrain them.

In further good news, while Abrams’ catalog of releases on experimental Northampton, Mass. label Eremite Records are almost perpetually sold out, a second pressing of Mandatory Reality has appeared. Get it while you still can.

I recorded this set with Schoeps MK22 “open cardiod” mics and a soundboard feed from Doug Graham. The sound quality is outstanding. Enjoy!

Thanks to Joshua Abrams for permitting us to record and share the performance.

Download the complete show: [MP3/FLAC/ALAC]

Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society
2019-10-04
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY USA

Recorded and produced by acidjack

Soundboard (engineer: Doug Graham) + Schoeps MK22>KCY>Z-PFA>>Sound Devices MixPre6>24/48 polyWAV>Adobe Audition CC>Izotope Ozone 5>Audacity 2.3.0>FLAC ( level 8 )

Tracks
01 Surveil Echo Analeptic

Natural Information Society on this night:
Joshua Abrams – guimbri, composition
Lisa Alvarado – harmonium
Jason Stein – bass clarinet
Jim White – drums

• Buy Mandatory RealityVinyl via Eremite Records / Digital via Bandcamp
• • 
NaturalInformationSociety.com

Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society: June 7, 2019 Union Pool

July 1, 2019
By
Photo by Bryon Whitley

First off, a very important heads up: Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society are playing tonight, July 1, at Roulette with 75 Dollar Bill! This is going to be a special show, in celebration of the release 75DB’s latest record I Was Real, and a rare opportunity to catch Joshua Abrams and NIS in Brooklyn. Grab tickets here!

Mandatory Reality, the latest double-LP from Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society, sounds like a band erasing borders. The second track, “Finite,” approaches 40 minutes, testing the limits of physical media as well as the listener’s compass. On some other plane (I’m convinced) it must loop back on itself to continue on forever in its meditative rhythms, an endless groove. Confined to the physical world, the album nevertheless seems to have no beginnings or endings, but drops you in media res, as the poets do, filling in the geographical landmarks and relief as it goes. Titling a 40 minute song “Finite” is a promise to the wayward traveler.

Last month’s Union Pool gig was my first chance to see Abrams and company live. The experience is like being let on something intimate, a sacred ritual opened up to new members. For 50 minutes we were collectively transported into the world of Natural Information Society. Capturing the ecstatic sounds for later transmission couldn’t possibly contain the multitudes of their performance, but does offer a glimpse of Abrams’ vision. Again, I’m going to strongly urge you to go see (and hear) for yourself tonight at Roulette. Spread the word!

I recorded this from our usual spot at Union Pool, room mics mixed with a board feed. The sound is excellent. Enjoy!

Download: [MP3/FLAC]



Joshua Abrams Natural Information Society
2019-06-07
Union Pool
Brooklyn, NY

Recorded and produced by Eric PH for nyctaper.com

Soundboard + MBHO KA200N/603A > Naiant PFA >> Sound Devices MixPre-6 > WAV (24/48) > Adobe Audition CC (mixdown, compression, normalize, fades) + Izotope Ozone (EQ, compression) > Audacity 2.0.5 (tracking, tagging) > FLAC (24/48, level 8)

Tracks [48:07]
01. Live at Union Pool

• Buy Mandatory Reality: Vinyl via Eremite Records / Digital via Bandcamp
• •
NaturalInformationSociety.com

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