Various Artists: Cosmic Gold Millennium

The two-disc Cosmic Gold Millennium, Carrot Top Records, SAKI 014 67:57, 71:48) shows that former and recently deceased Arkestra drummer Samurai Celestial, like his mentor, has his satellite disc tuned in to the right frequency. The first disc-Creation’s Call-draws on the acoustic oriented side of the outcat universe. Former Ornette and Shannon Jackson guitarist Rick Iannacone lays out nicely under Tyrone Hill’s trombone on the title cut, while Samarai pulls up to the piano for a cluster dominated solo slot. The second disc, Intergalactic Compository of Funk, reclaims a good portion of the electronic music field, with Samurai’s keyboard textures riding over a series of sequenced beats. While the approach is conventional, by modern electronica standards, the music isn’t, achieving a breathing, palpable musicality that seems beyond the reach of many of today’s more stilted sound sculptors.

Originally Published March 1, 1998