CONTINUUM - Passages

2000 release on the NineWinds record label

 This record was recorded LIVE in the studio, there are 2 overdubs on the whole recording, the 2 basses at the beginning of 7th hour and the olla triangle on Picasso, everything else is 4 guys with the mics on and the tape rolling - Two12 hour sessions at Stagg Street studios. Two inch analog tape, old school.

5x5x5 - Bergamo
A composition by the maestro for percussion ensemble, CG re-arranged/re-orchestrated it for CONTINUUM, an audience favorite, John allowed me to "tweek" the solo sections, they are over a mirrored 5, AABAB then BBABA repeated, turned inside out and very strange for the soloists.

Voices - Ochikubo
A blistering ballad by Ochi-san for the voices in his head at a strange time.

Even Picasso couldn't Find Her - Carman
A tune by Mr. PC, he allowed me to "North Indian - ize" this piece, utilizing tabla instead of drumset, and olla, a Mexican cooking pot, Ochi and PC take the head and PC and Stevie B take the solos, very cool piece.

Devotion - Carman
A tune by Mr. PC, dedicated to his wife.

Celestial Terrestrial Commuters - McLaughlin
One of my favorite Mahavishnu tunes, it is VERY different than their original version, why trace an original?, Stevie B. covers the original keyboard line and takes a "fantastic" solo, followed by PC and Ochisan solos, who then get to trade over a flip flopping harmonic structure with a manaical McLaighlin pseudo tihai, also a crowd favorite.

Ephemeral Peace - Ochikubo
A slightly twisted blues format with great solos by Stevie B and PC.

Seventh Hour - Billman/Suzuki
One of the few tunes we had a guest come in on, Roberto Varela on Latin Percussion, this has 2 basses out front, a wicked line into a demented head over a simple 4/4 backbeat and solos by PC.

Excerpt #1 - Vlatkovich
One of my favorite composers, this piece is improvised at the intro, then a wonderfully twisted melody over a stranger accompaniment back into free, i.e., anything can, and did happen solos.

P.M. - Billman
A tune dedicated to Mr. Pat Metheny, hence the title.

Stupendous Journey - Billman
Giant Steps?? Stevie B., wrote this impossible to play on any instrument head, after a Free intro, kind of like a demented big band who rehearses.

Cover Photo: Scott Bever


Continuum - Continuum

1995 release on the NineWinds record label

This CD was recorded LIVE in the studio, there are no overdubs just 4 guys with the mics on and the tape rolling - One 12 hour session at Mad Hatter.

Nascent - Ochikubo
A great melody with great duo solos by Stevie B and Andy, everyone told us this would be a "hit", although I have yet to hear a "hit" with a bass solo in it.

Waltz For Igor - Billman/Suzuki
A collaboration that is not a waltz, nor is it for Stravinsky, it is written for the monster in Looney Tunes who is seaching for Bugs Bunny at the mad scientists castle

Pretty Maids - Suzuki
A "jazz tune" written in a tone row, over a morphed 6/8, hence the title

Barfontheghoul - Bergamo
A composition by the maestro written for percussion ensemble, CG re-arranged/re-orchestrated it for CONTINUUM, an audience favorite

Paths - Ochikubo
A beautiful ballad by Ochi-san, with a beautiful melody and some tricky time changes, Andy plays a tremendous solo, and Ochi-san takes us back to the head
 

Somewhere Else - Billman/Ochikubo
A beautiful ballad by Stevie B, with a beautiful melody over a 7/4 clave

Nick of Time - Billman/Suzuki
A collaboration tune that REALLY stretched us and made us play in a way what we could'nt

Inspiration - Billman
A beautiful ballad by Stevie B, GREAT playing by all

Foreign Objects - Bergamo
A composition by the maestro for percussion ensemble, CG re-arranged/re-orchestrated it for CONTINUUM, the last tune of the 6:pm to 6: am session, no holds barred

Cover Photo: Scott Bever

 

Continuum - You Tell Me

1991 release on Ochimancia Records

Cover Photo: Scott Bever