Michael Robinson
North Africa
Cover art is hand silkscreened paper from Japan
1. North Africa (1994) 12:21
meruvina: clavichord, harpsichord, harp, synthesizers
2. First Instrument (1993) 12:16 (three movements)
meruvina: trumpet, strings, piano, organ, electric piano, wind bells, guitar, clarinet, percussion
3. Rainbow Sprinkles (1994) 3:53
meruvina: harpsichord, synthesizer, vibraphone, trumpet, flute, percussion
4. China Gem (1994) 4:01
meruvina: electric piano, violin, organ, synthesizer, timpani, percussion
5. African Plains (1994) 4:29
Meruvina: guitar, xylophone, marimba, percussion
6. Yucca Tree (1994) 14:06
meruvina: acoustic bass, cello, recorder, violin, celesta, marimba,
electric piano, synthesizers, xylophone,
trumpet, bells, clavichord, french horn,strings, shakuhachi, electric bass,
ocean waves, water bells, timpani, percussion
Composed, Programmed, Mixed, Designed and Produced by Michael Robinson
Recorded and Mastered by Catharine Wood at Planetwood Studios
North Africa opens with an unusual cicada-like ostinato. The melodic voice, colored with an exotic tuning, moves from clavichord to harpsichord, and ends with harp. Ali Jihad Racy is the person who introduced me to different tunings, the Arabic tunings he taught me reflected in a number of 1994 compositions including North Africa. Lee Konitz and I once enjoyed listening to North Africa together in his Manhattan apartment. It was premiered on WKCR FM close to Lee's home on West 86 Street in Manhattan. |
© 1999 Michael Robinson All rights reserved