Z'EV [ZEV] — Rhythmajik
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Begleit-CD zur italienischen Version des Z’EV-Buches “Rhythmajik” von 1992 (Temple Press) über seine akustisch-meditativ-ekstatische Kunstform als Metaphysik und Therapiepraxis, geprägt von Kabbala & Schamanismus ! Die Sounds hier sind ekstatisch-rauschend (Bleche?), klingend-rituell (Glocken?), monumental-dronend (Gongs), untergründig dunkel-perkussiv-noisig.... wer noch nie von Z’EVs Alchemie genascht hat, sollte hier zugreifen !!
“Rhythmajik is self-designed form of metaphysical research for the avant-percussionist Z'ev, who states that his ideas only ask that the listener approach Rhythmajik with "the ability to count and the desire to achieve an intentionally considerate consciousness." While based on the esoteric theologies of Qabbala, Z'ev presented Rhythmajik as an aesthetic form which has much of the convoluted mysticism removed and is thus attempting to demonstrate the trance-enducing / healing properties that are endemic to Rhythmajik. Needless to say, when approaching this CD documenting the percussive / textural applications of his interests in Qabbalist numerology, it is impossible not to get wrapped up in the back-end mythologies behind each track, as the first nine pieces relate to the 9 Stones which in turn refer to numbers 1 through 9, the next 22 pieces reflect the 12 astrological houses, 7 planets, and the 3 primal elements (air, water, and fire), and the album ends on a divination / meditation for the 9 Chambers.
Z'ev's ideas behind Rhythmajik are so involved that he actually wrote a book called Rhythmajik, which was published back in 1992 by Temple Press; and it's not all that clear if Small Voices (the label who released this CD) will actually be publishing an Italian version of the Rhythmajik book, but they did fund Z'ev's foray into the studio to record the musical manifestations of these ideas. Z'ev has long been praised for his dynamic percussive talents which sound entirely chaotic and clattering despite the rigorous methodologies that go into his music. Unlike the metal bashing and oil-barrel tumbling which perpetuates any ideas about Z'ev's freeform ethos, the CD program for Rhythmajik is an exceptional album of textual scrapings and metallic resonance with subtle surges of rhythmic repetitions. Barring some backwards-masked overdubbing, the bulk of the recordings appear to be unaltered from their original performative nature, almost giving Rhythmajik the feel of a Keiji Haino record where the performer is alone in a cavernous room communing with the spirits that move him.” [Aquarius Records]
“...we are very pround to presents new Z'EV studio album recorded in Los Angeles in 2003-2004. This audio material accompany the Italian edition of "Rhythmajik" (RHYTHMAJIK: Practical uses of Number, Rhythm and Sound). Z'EV, percussionist extraordinaire, played his homemade instruments (gongs, hand-made metal percussions, titanium plate, low steel drums). Z'EV proved to be a sensitive and skilled master of his instruments, creating complex rhythms and varied timbres... Experimental percussive industrial music... Don't miss this magical album!!! Z'EV is a pioneer! "SmallVoices asked me to provide some audio materials to accompany their edition of rhythmajik. They suggested that perhaps there could be an audio ‘statement’/’demonstration’ for each chapter. I thought long and hard about this and eventually took a look back at the work itself to see what i thought it would want. basically rhythmajik is more about numbers and a ‘new’ way of relating to them than it is about any particular style of drumming. and it deals with these numbers in two ways." Z'EV [press release]
“In case you didn't notice: Z'ev is back, but these days with something else than what we know him for: rhythmic music. Although his new album for Small Voices deals with rhythm again, as they publish the Z'ev's book 'Rhythmajik' in Italian. The book is subtitled 'Practical uses of Number, Rhythm and Sound' which probably says it all. Z'ev provides music for the book on the CD with the same name. He plays homemade instruments, such as gongs, metal percussion, titanium plate and low steel drums. In no less than thirty-two tracks, Z'ev displays his unique style of percussive music, usually quite slow, and working on the sustaining of sounds. The result is a densely layered album of multiple percussive elements. It's the Z'ev we know so well from the 80s, but with a sound that has progressed a lot.” [FdW]
“Rhythmajik is self-designed form of metaphysical research for the avant-percussionist Z'ev, who states that his ideas only ask that the listener approach Rhythmajik with "the ability to count and the desire to achieve an intentionally considerate consciousness." While based on the esoteric theologies of Qabbala, Z'ev presented Rhythmajik as an aesthetic form which has much of the convoluted mysticism removed and is thus attempting to demonstrate the trance-enducing / healing properties that are endemic to Rhythmajik. Needless to say, when approaching this CD documenting the percussive / textural applications of his interests in Qabbalist numerology, it is impossible not to get wrapped up in the back-end mythologies behind each track, as the first nine pieces relate to the 9 Stones which in turn refer to numbers 1 through 9, the next 22 pieces reflect the 12 astrological houses, 7 planets, and the 3 primal elements (air, water, and fire), and the album ends on a divination / meditation for the 9 Chambers.
Z'ev's ideas behind Rhythmajik are so involved that he actually wrote a book called Rhythmajik, which was published back in 1992 by Temple Press; and it's not all that clear if Small Voices (the label who released this CD) will actually be publishing an Italian version of the Rhythmajik book, but they did fund Z'ev's foray into the studio to record the musical manifestations of these ideas. Z'ev has long been praised for his dynamic percussive talents which sound entirely chaotic and clattering despite the rigorous methodologies that go into his music. Unlike the metal bashing and oil-barrel tumbling which perpetuates any ideas about Z'ev's freeform ethos, the CD program for Rhythmajik is an exceptional album of textual scrapings and metallic resonance with subtle surges of rhythmic repetitions. Barring some backwards-masked overdubbing, the bulk of the recordings appear to be unaltered from their original performative nature, almost giving Rhythmajik the feel of a Keiji Haino record where the performer is alone in a cavernous room communing with the spirits that move him.” [Aquarius Records]
“...we are very pround to presents new Z'EV studio album recorded in Los Angeles in 2003-2004. This audio material accompany the Italian edition of "Rhythmajik" (RHYTHMAJIK: Practical uses of Number, Rhythm and Sound). Z'EV, percussionist extraordinaire, played his homemade instruments (gongs, hand-made metal percussions, titanium plate, low steel drums). Z'EV proved to be a sensitive and skilled master of his instruments, creating complex rhythms and varied timbres... Experimental percussive industrial music... Don't miss this magical album!!! Z'EV is a pioneer! "SmallVoices asked me to provide some audio materials to accompany their edition of rhythmajik. They suggested that perhaps there could be an audio ‘statement’/’demonstration’ for each chapter. I thought long and hard about this and eventually took a look back at the work itself to see what i thought it would want. basically rhythmajik is more about numbers and a ‘new’ way of relating to them than it is about any particular style of drumming. and it deals with these numbers in two ways." Z'EV [press release]
“In case you didn't notice: Z'ev is back, but these days with something else than what we know him for: rhythmic music. Although his new album for Small Voices deals with rhythm again, as they publish the Z'ev's book 'Rhythmajik' in Italian. The book is subtitled 'Practical uses of Number, Rhythm and Sound' which probably says it all. Z'ev provides music for the book on the CD with the same name. He plays homemade instruments, such as gongs, metal percussion, titanium plate and low steel drums. In no less than thirty-two tracks, Z'ev displays his unique style of percussive music, usually quite slow, and working on the sustaining of sounds. The result is a densely layered album of multiple percussive elements. It's the Z'ev we know so well from the 80s, but with a sound that has progressed a lot.” [FdW]