'More Energy Fields, Current' is a definitive new peak in the recorded continuum of prolific producer/percussionist Carlos Niño. Featuring heavy contributions from many of the most exciting instrumentalists in the creative music constellation of Los Angeles (of which Niño’s has been a central force for over 2 decades), the album collects 10 pristine gems of collaborative communication helmed by the Southern Californian sage, elegantly presented in his unique “Spiritual, Improvisational, Space Collage” style.
Starting with the subtle invitation of “Pleasewakeupalittlefaster, please…” (accompanied by the liner note from Niño: “We’re all in this together. I look forward to living in a much higher, much more conscious, harmonious state, here, with You, on this Magical Planet Earth.”), a gorgeously-keyed canonic infinity by pianist Jamael Dean articulates an Earth-loving, universalist ethos that imbues the entire 44 minute program. While the sonics shift and evolve, gracefully placed in patient order across subsequent track highlights “Nightswimming” (featuring Dean and Dntel on modular synth), “Thanking the Earth” (featuring multi-instrumentalists Sam Gendel and Nate Mercereau, whom Niño has been working and bonding extensively with in recent years), “Salon Winds” (featuring Jamire Williams on drums and Aaron Shaw on flute), and “Togetherness” (featuring Dean and Devin Daniels on sax), the naturalist sentiments established in the exposition remain potently present.
The album is ripe with “ambient” passages that function like open portals between moments of consonance and clarity. But even in the occasional absence of drums, there is a powerful pulse implicit in the program’s frequency of consciousness. It’s a testament to Niño’s foundations as a DJ. His distinct ability to craft kinetic, cinematic sonic experience from dozens of independent, often rhythmically-ambiguous improvisational archive memories is more fluently displayed on 'More Energy Fields, Current' than anything we’ve heard from him to date. It resonates, lucidly, with the way Niño’s mentor Iasos – who is known to the world as an original founder of New Age music – has described his work: "Real Time Interactive Imagination, Flow Texturization."
On 'More Energy Fields, Current', Niño immerses us in the watery depths of his world, spiriting us like a submarine through exotic nether-leagues of untouched sound. And when we arrive at the final, book-ending piece “Please, Wake Up.” (an extended version of the opening theme with transcendental counterpoint by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings), it’s like a return, safely to shore.
1. Pleasewakeupalittlefaster, please...
Jamael Dean - Piano and Organ
Nate Mercereau - Guitar
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Mixing, Editing
We’re all in this together. I look forward to living in a much higher, much more conscious, harmonious state, here, with You, on this Magical Planet Earth.
2. The World Stage, 4321 Degnan Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90008
Sam Gendel - Alto Saxophone and Pedals
Jamael Dean - Piano
Randy Gloss - Hybrid Drum Set
Carlos Niño - Percussion
Recorded and Mixed by Tomoaki Soto from Sunday, November 24, 2019
3. Nightswimming
Dntel - Modular Synthesizer
Jamael Dean - Piano
Jira >< - Beats
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Sound Design, Mixing, Editing
4. Now the background is the foreground.
Adam Rudolph - Drum Machine, Multi-Instruments and Production
Aaron Shaw - Tenor Saxophone
Jamael Dean - Yamaha DX7
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Mixing, Editing
Thanks to Silvia Bianchi and La Terraza Magnetica / Madrid
5. Thanking The Earth
Sam Gendel - Vibraphone
Nate Mercereau - Guitar Synth, Multi-Instruments and Production
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Field Recordings, Mixing
Thanks to Ishmael Butler
6. Salon Winds
Jamire Williams - Drums, Painting
Nate Mercereau - Guitar Synth World
Jamael Dean - Prophet Keyboard
Aaron Shaw - Flute and Tenor Saxophone
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Mixing
Recorded by Jason Lader on Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Thanks to Travis Lett, Mike D and Tamara Davis
7. Ripples, Reflection, Loop
Laraaji - Zither and Voice
Jamael Dean - Electric Piano
Sharada - Voice
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Sound Design, Mixing, Editing
Thanks to Alex Kelman of Third Side Music
8. Togetherness
Devin Daniels - Alto Saxophone
Jamael Dean - Electric Piano
Carlos Niño - Synthesizer, Percussion, Mixing
9. lasos 79 ‘til Infinity
Carlos Niño - Synthesizer, Chimes and Collage
Invite them in, say, “Yes, Come.”
10. Please, wake up.
Shabaka Hutchings* - Tenor Saxophone
Jamael Dean - Piano and Synth
Carlos Niño - Percussion, Mixing, Editing
Based on a Duet by Shabaka and Carlos recorded by Andy Kravitz
at Studio 4 West on Monday, March 11, 2019
Thanks to Scottie McNiece
*Shabaka Hutchings appears courtesy of Impulse!
Produced by Carlos Niño.
Mastered by David Allen.
Photos by Todd Weaver.
Indigo by Niki Tsukamoto.
Art Direction by Nep Sidhu.
Design and Layout by Craig Hansen.
