Dilation Time In Blue

Only in music can people who promise "magical powers" and a "unique relationship to the Universe" actually be right. That's one of the things that keeps me in love with it. Take J.D. Emmanuel, self-described meditation guru, lover of jazz, minimalism, and the Rain Forest--and creator, in 1982, of the sommetimes-great electronic record, Wizards. A dolphin-happy Belgian outfit called Dreamtime Taped Sounds put together a vinyl reissue this year, and supposedly there's going to be a cd forthcoming, which would be nice because there are some problems with the vinyl copy I got. I don't know how many of the limited LPs are still available, but anyone who likes what's below should keep a look-out for that promised cd.

The general sound is like the sequenced synth theorems of Cluster's Zuckerzeit slowed down (although a couple of the longer tracks are at about Zuckerzeit-tempo) and with a warmer, less clinical feel, partially due to the heavy reliance on organ. On the three long tracks, in addition to Dark Side Of the Moon and Music Has the Right... vibes, some cheesier (always analog synth, sometimes digital delay) sounds invade the pristine world established on the shorter openers, but the patterns they are involved in are often so fundamentally gratifying, you probably won't care. "Expanding Into The Universe" is the test-case, if you can deal with that crumpled synth sound and the pitch bend orgy at the end, then you should be into most of the record. "Prayer" is the one, though--no qualifications necessary. Melodies and counter-melodies are locked tight in exactly the kind of meditative pattern this J.D. Emmanuel guy is going for. It's a tremendous compliment that I'm including this track recorded too fast, at 45 rpms, in addition to the normal 33 rpm version. Note the same magical trance powers harnessed to more manic ends but still coming off as smooth and architecturally sound as a crystal formation. Speaking of which, the effect is something like playing Legend of Zelda with the sound on, and listening to Zuckerzeit at the same time, while under the influence of a stimulant refined enough to allow the two to merge into one. Those of you who already spend your Saturday nights trying to make that happen can consider yourselves saved...

J.D. Emmanuel--Part II: Prayer
J.D. Emmanuel--Part II: Prayer (45 rpm)
J.D. Emmanuel--Part IV: Expanding Into The Universe