INFRA DIG

The first album by this very interesting and rewarding ensemble, leaded by composer and multi instrumentalist James Grigsby, is a very primary work that still not meets the level of the later works. It holds some experiments, one execution to an old song, and one really good avant song, and that's more or less all. 4 Musicians consists the first incarnation of MTG, and many other guest musicians. They create quite interesting sound, helped by vibraphones, brass, synths, electric guitar and more. Nice vocals from Christine Clements, but sound a bit 'swallowed' occasionally. Track 1, 'Edison games', starts with brass clusters and after a while turns into some jazzy motives. Track 4, 'Mute tape process' is an interesting experiment with tapes. Track 7, 'Stares in steps' is the song I've mentioned before, start as an avant song with intriguing sung melody, goes to some 'ha ha' vocals, in the vein of 'O Superman' by Lorie Anderson, and closed by some vague piano improvisation. Apart from these, there are not much enjoyable and memorable moments here. I've heard this album very few times, and it doesn't seem that I'll listen to it again in the near future. It comes as part one of 'Archive one' album. Very surprisingly this album is still available as LP at Rotary totem records. Two stars for this effort, definitely for dedicate fans only. I would suggest for those who are interested in this band, and you should be if you are into high quality composed avant guard music, that you start your listening from the 'Archive two' album, which contains much better materials. And of course do not miss U TOTEM, (if you didn't listen to it yet), the other band from the breeding ground of James Grigsby.