Search - Various Artists :: Tribute to Hanatarash

An quaint exploration of the Dionysian impulse

04/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All the jocular compatriots of the so-called "Hanatarash" have assembled on this heavenly disc to pay tribute to the unparallelled technical virtuousity, wit, and healing wisdom of their friend and mentor. Much like Enya, Faxed Head have carved out a certain niche for themselves in the smooth jazz community by combining lilting melodies with clever social commentary and piquant flute-work, but here they decide to go down a more untraveled road by letting loose a little. Their presence, along with the presence of their wives, here randily referred "Roadies" (!), is most certainly a treat. Barbara Manning's spoken-word analysis of identity, gender, class, and sexuality in migrant cultures is as refreshing as the spring breeze over Mount Fuji. Macronympha (truly an ensemble in the funky American tradition of Copland and Bela Fleck) even throw in a little dissonance with their interpretation! Altogether, this is a solid effort by world-renown musicians, playing in top form. At times meticulous then playful, familiar but alluring, it's simply bound to make it's way into your compact disc collection. The "buzz" is overwhelming, as they say! Stomach Ache Records is to be commended for raising the bar of popular/folk musical culture with this release. As a sidenote, the label's name, I have to say, is not entirely a misnomer-- I did find my stomach aching during the play of this disc, but only from joyful belly laughs that wracked this serious old curmedgeon's white-haired tummy. Bravo!"