Mudang Rock has all-star improvisors
Henry Kaiser and
Bill Laswell teaming up with saxophonist
Rudresh Mahanthappa and drummer
Simon Barker for a program of tunes inspired by the Korean Shamanic tradition. That may seem like an odd choice at first glance since there are no Koreans in the band (there is a Korean guest on one tune) but
Kaiser and
Laswell have histories improvising in a Korean style that go back to the '80s, and
Simon Barker has spent much of his life assimilating the Western drum kit into traditional Korean music.
Mahanthappa may not have direct experience, but he's an excellent improvisor and had no problems fitting in. You can hear the connection almost immediately on the opening track as
Laswell and
Mahanthappa find common ground almost instantly. The music of Korean Shamanism is very different than what Westerners are used to. The drums generally don't play a steady rhythm or swing, in the Western sense. They're sometimes startling. Remember that a Shaman's job is to confront spirits and otherworldly beings. This is not a quiet, contemplative set. Another aspect of this music that these guys really understand is when to sit out. There are some long passages with just one or two instruments playing. On the first track, it's a good three minutes before
Kaiser comes roaring in on guitar. We get a little extra Korean flavor on "Emphyrio Salpuri" when Soo-Yeon Lyuh joins the quartet on haegum, and "The Story Changes" features some interesting cello and piano but the quartet tracks are the ones that really stand out. This may have been their first outing as a unit, but the level of connection and interplay is easily apparent. This album isn't for everyone, but adventurous ears will be rewarded. ~ Sean Westergaard