Loop 2.4.3 – “American Dreamland” – [Music Starts From Silence]

This is a most enjoyable release, especially for all us percussion lovers. Marimbas, steel drums, chimes, vibes, snares, toms, bongos, and other percussion form the backbone of these refreshingly vibrant songs performed by Thomas Kozumplik and Lorne Watson, along with the help of many musical friends. There a several short spoken-word palate cleansers (1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13), and when the voices aren’t speaking, they are singing beautifully (sometimes in round as in my favorite, 3). There’s even an electric guitar adding its voice to the loveliness of 2, and an earthy Native American flute on 9. 7 is classical with cello and deep vocals, and 12 has pretty piano and a slow, sad evocative feeling. 10 is like the soundtrack to a breaking and entering scene (with tolling bells in a wind tunnel and intensified percussion). 5 (and its radio edit, 12) is the most rollicking piece on this CD, with its snazzy snare and bongo start that continues rocking with organ, marimba, and male voice. It kind of goes from rock to funk to steel drum beach vibe. In the words of 11, “Everything’s all good.”