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Masahiro Shimba & Bill Laswell: Dubopera
ByJoining Laswell is tenor Masahiro Shimba, who proves himself more than equal to the task of upending the world of music for the stage. The opening "Nessun Dorma" (Puccini, from )Turandotis spacious and nearly ambient (hear Ambience Dub, Vols. 1 & 2 (APC Records, 1997)). Laswell assimilates Dub into the treasured arias with a blatent disregard for musical dogma and tradition. It is a refreshing bit of anarchy within the sacred halls of convention. Outstanding are the aforementioned "Nessun Dorma," opening the disc and "Pagilacci" (Leoncavallo, Pagilacci closing it.
Between these bookends a couple of studies, including Leonard Bernstein ("Tonight" from West Side Story) and Antonin Dvorák ("Moon" from Rusalka. These are briefer pieces that reveal Laswell's ability to concentrated pathos into small spaces. Standout in the instruments is tenor saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum, who adds a certain 1980s British spin on the Reggae. This is provocative music that is as easy on the ears as it is to understand and enjoy...if one's mind is open.
Track Listing
Nessun Dorma dub; Moon dub; Tonight dub; I Pescatori di Perle (The Pearl Fishers;) Pagliacci; (Clowns)
Personnel
Bill Laswell
bassMasahiro Shimba: vocals; Karl Berger: electronic keyboard; Rob Burger: electric piano, organ; Yukari Fujita: piano; Peter Apfelbaum: tenor saxophone; Graham Haynes: cornet; Bill Laswell: bass; Adam Rudolph: percussion; Guy Licata: drums Hideo Yamaki: drums; Sly Dunbar: drums.
Album information
Title: Dubopera | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: M.o.d. Technologies
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