Him "New Features" Bubble Core Records bc-034 2001 (59:32)
Magnified
Features (9:25)
In
Transition (18:03)
Out Here (10:53)
Clouds
(6:10)
Were Once (5:37)
Sea Level (9:24)
Doug Scharin's Him has blossomed over the years from a solo side project (himself being drummer for Rex, Codeine and June of '44 among others) into a full blown, many membered live band. A dozen other musicians are credited with more drums and percussion, electric and bass guitars, saxophones, flugelhorn, trumpet and keys. "New Features" plays out an hour of listener friendly fusion, from cocktail to not quite Bitches Brew. There's nothing too terribly angular here, just a classy and cozy flow of afro-beat and dub infused jazz. "Magnified Features" showcases a double kit, polyrhythmic duel in the midsection of its bright and breezy, up beat journey. The 18 minute "In Transition" eventually slows down the pace as manic jamming distills down to a transfixing groove and thick, delayed horn riffs. "Out Here" lets the horns interact and the guitars to solo, wonderfully so. Then "Clouds" abruptly kicks off with an all too brief but oh so beautiful heavy duty slo-mo dub, a breakdown, then a second wind. "Were Once" continues the atmospheric feel of dub with a tender but driving bass rhythm and supple guitar licks. "Sea Level" begins with a disorienting array of castaway sax and guitar notes, but once the beat kicks in, everything locks into place. Perhaps the track titles intentionally form a broken sentence when read consecutively? I don't know, but I do know this: I loved this album from the first listen and it continues to grow on me more with each additional listen. Possibly a contender for my top ten of 2001 list ...
HiM at
Utopia
Bubble Core Records
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via CD Universe.