Right Speaker Heavy - Sketches of Marrakech
Right Speaker Heavy - Sketches of Marrakech
Compact Disc
$15.00 ppd
Ten years after the crash and burn of the first incarnation of Right Speaker Heavy, the collective is revived with the highly unusual name of Right Speaker Heavy (Mk. II, I presume?). This time, the focus is away on the previous modus operandi of “punish them all with sound” and will strive to leave its mark on whatever doesn’t move. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, no?
The urgency that carries this group forward permeates the atmosphere of each rehearsal and recording session.
In Ghopal Krishna, the techie geek and self-appointed sound designer. He’s removed all the red LED lights from the equipment so no one knows when he’s recording (a trick he learned during his days as a call center lacky in Mumbai). With his collection of PZMs, SM-57s, 58s, and a rebuilt third-hand Neumann U87, he’s confident that no matter what racket the group produces, he’ll capture it. With Ghopal standing at the DAW, one need not to ask, “Did you get that?”… it shall be.
In Morton Hurley, the group’s arranger, lyricist and vocal talent. He’s been busy keeping up with the sales and promotion of his first anthology of spam poetry. He’s a hot commodity, but it doesn’t show. Always ready with a snappy smile and a slew of double entendres, he brings a wealth of experience from his days as a rock star… deftly covering songs by Chrome and Silver Apples and turning them into aluminum hits. No runs in his Alpaca poncho either.
In Rani Wong, the minority whip that keeps the sessions on track and on target. Of the members in the group, Rani is the only one formally trained in music. She mastered the piano and flute by age nine and was brought to the United States by invitation of the Embassy of South Korea in Mexico City (don’t ask as we won’t tell). At first glance, she floors you with her “I’d rather be home drinking a pint and watching Bollywood movies” look she carries… and you would be hard pressed not to comply. However, when asked if she can interpolate Chopin’s Nocturne for piano No. 13 in C minor, she replies in a tone that you’d expect to hear from Mr. Coffee when asked if he could bring you something to drink, “no problem!”
In Reginald Bisquet, the multi- instrumentalist. He can bang out a catchy tune on a baby grand piano or a cigar box with a stick and a string. His collection of musical toys is the envy of every musician in town. Always wearing classy leather shoes with matching belt, Reginald doesn’t have much to say as he lets his talent speak for itself. A youthful, great face that looks expressive even when it’s blank. Always reading. When Ghopal suddenly asks Reginald pull back at a certain phrase, Reginald makes it look intentional, rehearsed.
At first glance, the group looks casual. But it’s not casual. It’s not casual at all. Rings of sweat start to form under the arms of the players. The intensity provokes a special kind of hell... a hell that they will gladly go through to make these recordings just for you.
On January 20th, Vértice 1925 will be proud to offer this album of music by a group whose influences range from India, Northern Africa, Middle East and places yet charted. Covers are handmade and include original sketches by Pat Moriarity. Check out the band's MySpace page for song samples and recording notes.
Limited printing of 75 copies.
To order a copy, please either use the Paypal link above or send a check/ money-order payable to Paul Chavez at our address to the right of this page.
Labels: music
