Monypeny, Derek – “Don’t Bring Me Down, Bruce” – [This Is Raheem]

Thurston Hunger   2/29/2012   12-inch, A Library

Oakland citizen, world musician. Connected to Oaxacan,
this release looks east past the pyramids on the cover
and deep into the soul of the oud. Monypeny’s music
moves to desert time on side A. Stark, sparse and crisp
in the dry-fidelity of a sonically-sealed crypt. Slow
motion sufi spirals. African strong, Tai-chi precise.
Flavors come not just from Saharan winds, but the Mississippi
delta as well on “Point Pinole.” When I first checked
this album out on online (free at
http://derekmonypeny.bandcamp.com/album/dont-bring-me-down-bruce
I was moved to introspection, but then surprised as
the dark echoes started to filter and flange. On vinyl
it is even better as you enjoy side A’s purity of solo
wanderings, and side B opens up the flood-gates and other
effect gates, for that sort of Eastern psych glory that
KFJC hungers for. Further intrigued by Mr. Monypeny, I found
www.blastitude.com/27/#morocco
what a great soul/ambassador of sound. And as us Sublime
Freaks have been enlightened, the use of phasers and
overdrive have woven themselves into the Agadez, the
Doueh and the Jakwar. I only hope listeners can afford
a few moments of stillness in their lives/minds to
dive into this compelling release, which features the
most graceful “Lummox” I’ve ever seen or heard.?? Looking
forward to a killer double biller with Derek and Bill
Orcut live on KFJC 3/30/2012!
?? -Thurston Hunger