WORLD DIARY

This first solo album from Tony Levin has a well chosen title: World Diary. A gathering of top-class musicians from all around the world playing world music. The songs here are very eclectic, ranging from technical rythmic songs to beautiful emotional pieces. The overall feeling I got from this album is mixed though...

The opener "Chasm" is a beautiful bass/violin duo - a great song. "The Train" and "Nyatiti" give a very annoying - even irritating - feeling (the same feeling I get when listening to techno music though those songs aren't techno), clearly the worst part of the album. "We Stand In Sapphire Silence" and "The Sound Of Goodbye" give a great japanese feeling with Brian Yamakoshi playing the koto. "Smoke" is a little bridge to the more technical "Etude In The Key Of Guildford" and "Espresso & The Bed Of Nails" where Tony Levin shows his skills with the bass (not my favorite tracks though - a bit too technical). "Mingled Roots" and "La Tristesse Amoureuse De La Nuit" are beautiful pieces with Levon Minassian playing the doudouk (sounds like a mix of a pan flute and a violin - very beautiful instrument). "Jewels" is a classic Bruford-Levin duo with the rythmic section in front (see "Upper Extremities" for similar songs). The highlight of the album is surely "I Cry To The Dolphined Sea": the saxophone here really helps to create a very emotional atmosphere. Rating: 66/100