Fried Brains by Rapid Zen

The trio Rapid Zen creates a dynamic blend of really unique music by fusing rhythmic patterns with audio experiments. They achieve this by combining a layer of turntable sampling and scratching that provides a distinctive and varied sound interacting with a broad palette of different techniques on double bass, percussion, and voice. Fried Brains is the first release of the project.


Vito Camarretta www.chaindlk.com

'In summary, "Fried Brains" is a testament to the power of spontaneous musical collaboration. Rapid Zen's debut offers a rich, multifaceted listening experience that rewards repeated engagement. For those interested in the frontiers of improvisational music, this album represents a significant and thought-provoking contribution.''

Eyal Hareuveni www.freejazzblog.org

''Don’t hold your breath in anticipation of instant karma or rapid enlightenment, but with such resourceful and imaginative improvisers, you can enjoy a series of chaotic and colorful collages and rhythmic pulses comprised of manipulated and processed vocals, fast turntable sampling, powerful double bass playing with an array of extended bowing and percussive techniques, and unorthodox and always inventive percussive ideas. There is nothing spiritual, but the rapid flow of left-of-center ideas may recalibrate your brain’s wave frequencies to the point of frying.

Each of the nine pieces suggests a distinct, layered and nuanced sonic palette, with endless references, from the frenetic, pixie-like vocals (“Catalyzing Zen”); through the inquisitive and hypnotic spoken-word art of Laurie Anderson (“Clockwork Predictability”); ornamenting solo arco double bass playing with concise alien comments (“Nine Pimientos”); evoking a mysterious, film-noir image (“Super Perfume”); creating enigmatic and minimalist radio and sound art (“Constantinopla”); the nervous choir of manipulated chants and fragmented pulse wishing their brain will be fried (on the title piece); twisted, spiraling church-bells sounds (“No One’s Home”); to the last, subversive but surprising lyrical experiment to modulate the listener’s heart rate to Rapid Zen’s disorienting frequencies (“Hearts Modulation”). There are tons of imaginative sonic ideas to process before attaining a Zen satori''

something there
where
out there
out where
outside
what
the head what else
something there somewhere outside
the head

Samuel Beckett

art by Aki Karano

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