HAMID DRAKE & BINDU

BINDU

Hamid Drake
Daniel Carter
Ernest Dawkins
Sabir Mateen
Greg Ward
Nicole Mitchell

Remembering Rituals

13:46

Bindu #2 for Baba Fred Anderson

10:53

A Prayer for the Bardo, for Baba Mechack Silas

8:37

Meeting and Parting

11:09

Born upon a Lotus

3:04

Bindu #1 for Ed Blackwell

6:27

Bindu #1 for Ed Blackwell, from Bindu to Ojas

6:08

Do Khyentse's Journey, 139 years and more

13:27

Recorded on March 1st and 2nd 2005 by John McEntire at Soma studio (Chicago, Il, USA)
Mixing: John McEntire
Mastering: Jean-Pierre Bouquet
Liner notes: Steve Dalachinsky and Alexandre Pierrepont
Photographs: Tony Getsug, Michael Jackson
Executive producer: Michel Dorbon

Who could have imagined that Hamid Drake would wait such a long time before giving life to his first band - as a leader that is? As one of the most important drummers in Afro-American music's History, Drake is the guide to many musicians the world over while his rich, thorough, eclectic and fully controlled playing is used as the backbone to many orchestras. For ages, his numerous duets gave us a clear view of his music skills but this first recording as the leader of Bindu allows Hamid Drake the necessary space to fully display at last his own brilliant and original expression. No matter how unusual the orchestra is (four reeds and a drum), we really are confronted here with a great band. Who else than Hamid Drake would have dared to pick such strong personalities as Ernest Dawkins and Greg Ward from Chicago, Daniel Carter and Sabir Mateen from New York, with no other goal and challenge than a meeting of pioneers willing to break new grounds? And what more beautiful introduction to this musical structure could be made than this duet with Nicole Mitchell and her refined, sparkling playing? It won't be difficult, in these circumstances, to forgive Hamid Drake for having taken his time so long before leading such a group. Hamid Drake, we thank you for honoring us with that perfect Rogue Art opening.

Hamid Drake: drums, frame drum, tabla
Daniel Carter: tenor & alto saxophones, clarinet
Ernest Dawkins: tenor & alto saxophones, percussions
Sabir Mateen: tenor & alto saxophones, voice
Greg Ward: alto saxophone, clarinet
special gest:
Nicole Mitchell: flute