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KalimbaMania

by EXILES

/
1.
Global Dance 05:07
2.
Shamani 03:36
3.
4.
5.
Joy 06:38
6.
Raga Siva 09:46
7.
Rio Gango 05:25
8.
9.
Akool 03:19
10.

about

Lyrical and compelling music explores exotic structures and tunings in this digitally remastered reissue from 1989. In a surprising extension of their unique musical vision, EXILES reinterprets the ancient indigenous Kalimba in a contemporary improvisational context.


KalimbaMania was first released in 1989 on the Esfoma Recordings label. This new compilation is digitally remastered from the original studio tapes and includes 21 minutes of additional recording from that era. All 10 compositions are live duet improvisations as are the overdub tracks in Global Dance. Electronic pitch transform programs (Yamaha SPX-90) are responsible for the altered voices in several pieces: In Les Sons De Bali electronic sounds suggest the dark gongs and silvery metallophones of Balinese Gamelan music. Shamani introduces an acoustic grand piano (Mills), pitch-transposed and paired with two kalimbas (Zelenka), also pitch-transposed, to create harmony and bass voices in a rhythmically dramatic piece evoking the mood of Indian jugalbundi. Raga Siva and Old World Raga use an organ and piano to create a drone filling the role traditionally taken by tamboura in Indian music. Tuned snare drums, bottom skin removed, serve as resonators to enhance volume and overtones. In traditional African playing, kalimbas are braced within large gourds for this purpose. Basing the individual improvisations on a variety of tunings, tempos, rhythms, & moods as well as using kalimbas of varied design adds further diversity.

kalimba (kah-LIM-bah): a hand held pan-African metallophone with an unspecified number of keys ranging from as few as 6 or 8 to 40 or more played by plucking with thumb and fingers. On larger instruments keys can be arrayed in a double manual. Traditionally it accompanied the player's singing and was often played in large ensembles. Tuning is flexible within a range based on the instrument's physical size and characteristically relates to the players vocal range and natural tonic. The tines or keys are usually metal and occasionally hardwood or bamboo. The bodies are fashioned from wood boxes, tortoise shells, metal cans, coconut shells and traditionally from gourds of all sizes. Called kalimba in the Bembe language of the Bantu people, the Shona name for this instrument is mbira Some other African names: sanzhi, likembe, nsansi, lisanza, thandi.

mania (MAY-nee-ah): an excessive persistent enthusiasm, obsession,
rapturous excitement.



1. Global Dance* B major mixolydian
2. Shamani F# major
3. The Upper Room* F# harmonic minor
4. Les Sons De Bali unknown tuning
5. Joy* G major
6. Raga Siva* F# Indian natural minor
7. Rio Gango F# major
8. Oriental Garden* A-flat melodic minor—altered
9. Akool* C major
10. Old World Raga G locrian—altered

* from the original 1989 release

credits

released January 1, 2008

Greg Mills: kalimbas, piano and organ
Jay Zelenka: kalimbas

Recorded in 1988 and '89
at Premier Film and Sound St. Louis
Engineer: Chris Rathert
Tape restoration: Benton Park Studio
Engineer: Doug Rayburn
Digital remastering: Jay Zelenka 2007
Cover Art: Jay Zelenka
Design: Tony Patti
Produced by Jay Zelenka/Freedonia Music

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all rights reserved

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about

Freedonia Music St. Louis, Missouri

Freedonia Music was born in 2006 to promote Creative Improvised Music.
Offering a
catalog of archival performances and contemporary recordings of New Music from the heart of the heartlands. Music to wake up your ears!

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