Al Gromer Kahn - Almond Blossom Day (CD)

All Music Guide

Al Gromer Khan is a special musician. He constantly tries new techniques and methods to enhance his atmospheres. Almond Blossom Day lends itself to "indirect listening." It has been designed to unfold as listeners pay no particular attention to it. Khan's liner notes have a rather detailed scientific explanation of the approach. Such detail, while interesting, is unnecessary and extraneous. It is useful for a researcher, but not for a listener or meditator. This long-form (55 minutes) composition has all the elements of great minimalism. It has no percussion, the drone has overtone qualities, and the acoustic piano and sitar enhance the experience. They are subtle. Khan uses silence and serenity abundantly in this atmospheric piece. Indeed, the piece is just one long, dense atmosphere. It is the soundscape. Moreover, "indirect listening" is just a fancy term for ambient. This soundscape is interesting to be the focus of deep listening and innocuous enough to be ignored. This CD will ap...peal to fans of Alio Die, Thomas Koner, Mathias Grassow, and Matt Harris. - Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide Read more Less