![\"Sonic](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hightwo.net\/two\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/ht002.jpg?resize=200%2C200&ssl=1\" "\\"ht002\\"")
Sonic Liberation Front - Ashe A Go-Go<\/p><\/div>\n
ash \u00e9 a go-go<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Release Date:<\/strong> June 8, 2004<\/p>\n Kevin Diehl, Chuckie Joseph, Julio Berrios, Andy Gonzalez, Terry Lawson, Adam Jenkins, Dan Scofiel, Kimbal all compositions \u00a92004 Producer On Ash\u00e9 A Go-Go<\/em>, The pieces range in mood, tempo, and style, but create a cohesive album that flows remarkably well. Percussionists Diehl, Joseph, and Julio Berrios lay down a solid foundation for the other musicians to embellish. The title track is perhaps the band\u2019s finest accomplishment. \u201cAsh\u00e9 A Go-Go<\/em>\u201d starts with a wave of ambient electronics before giving way to powerful bata drumming and ecstatic horn lines. By the time a chorus of Yoruba vocals close out the piece, it\u2019s apparent that the band is an exceptional ensemble. Penned by saxophonist Adam Jenkins, \u201cThe Sirens\u201d is a brilliant composition that shows off not only his ability as a writer, but also SLF\u2019s ability to play an inside jazz piece \u2013 highlighted by Kimbal Brown\u2019s sangfroid trumpet style \u2013 that keeps the percussion wholly relevant.<\/p>\n Pieces like \u201cPow!,\u201d \u201cInit\u201d and \u201cSeize the Time\u201d show off the variety of song structures SLF can work with. Eschewing repitition in songwriting is a hallmark of the band, and Diehl & Co. take it to new heights on Ash\u00e9 A Go-Go<\/em>. \u201cAgua Dulce\u201d takes SLF in a completely new direction. This Joseph original features him unaccompanied on acoustic guitar singing a stirring medley of Lukumi phrases. Although \u201cAgua\u201d is a departure in the course of the album, it speaks to the broad talent and mission of the band. Perhaps, though, SLF saves its most scintillating moments for the end. The album-closing \u201cGema Oculta\u201d takes the classic rhumba form and inserts an immeasurable breath of vitality via the saxophones of Terry Lawson and Dan Scofield. However, it\u2019s the spine-tingling vocals of Venissa Santi and Fabumni that steal the show.<\/p>\n The Wire<\/strong> Village\u00a0Voice <\/a><\/strong> Echoes<\/strong> PitchforkMedia<\/a><\/strong> Village\u00a0Voice <\/a><\/strong>\n
Features:<\/h3>\n
\nBrown,
\n:Venissa Santi, Fabunmi, Madison Rast<\/p>\n
\nKevin Diehl, except: \u201cAsh\u00e9 a Go-Go\u201d \u00a92004 Kevin Diehl & traditional,
\narranged by K. Diehl. \u201cThe Sirens\u201d \u00a92004 Adam Jenkins. \u201cAgua Dulce\u201d \u00a92004
\nChuckie Joseph with traditional lyrics arranged by C. Joseph<\/p>\n
\n– Kevin Diehl
\nExecutive producer – Daniel Piotrowski
\nRecording engineers – Brendan Krivda & Kevin Diehl
\nMixing – Kevin Diehl
\nPhotography – John Hubbard
\nArt direction & design – eye dog
\ncreative<\/a> & Tracey Diehl<\/p>\n
\nthe SLF core is joined by a number of guests \u2013 including Latin jazz bassist Andy Gonzalez (of the legendary Fort Apache Band, brother of trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez). Gonzalez\u2019s mere presence affirms SLF\u2019s \u2018hidden gem\u2019 status, worthy of attention from around the world. Recorded over the course of 2003, the seven tracks of Ash\u00e9 A Go-Go<\/em> are incredibly unique entities.<\/p>\n
\nThe album title alone (ash\u00e9<\/em> means \u2018balance\u2019 in Yoruba) invokes a mood of ancient and modern, spiritual and secular coming together as one.<\/p>\nReviews<\/h2>\n
\n{Ben\u00a0Watson, Aug 2004}
\n“SLF reject the motifs that have congealed into cliche, and come up with a music where intuitive rhythm and analytical intellect jostle each other and become one… ludicrously superb.”<\/p>\n
\n{Tom Hull, Dec 29, 2004}
\n“Number 1 Jazz album of 2004: Yin and yang\u2014fierce avant-sax and friendly folk songs united by shifty Afro-Cuban beats.”<\/p>\n
\n{Kevin Le Gendre, Sep 2004}
\n“Imagine incisive and impassioned composition and improvisation threaded around the irrepressibly trance-like pulse of the bata drum… the man-machine hybridity of sound… the sweat of a palm sizzling on AC\/DC humidity… Very possibly the album of the year.”<\/p>\n
\n{Chris Dahlen, Aug 13, 2004}
\n“Exceptionally written and arranged, Ash\u00e9 a Go-Go runs through compositions that are as terse and muscular as they are diverse, and every new turn fits the band’s voices.”<\/p>\n
\n{Tom Hull, Sep 28, 2004}
\n“…pays dividends on the ’60s avant-garde’s fascination with pan-Africana by finally getting under its skin.” Grade: A<\/p>\n