PARANOISE: Ishq

Paranoise

Ishq

© 2001 Paranoise (747014434826)

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Progressive Rock meets progressive politics/World Music meets otherworldliness

tracks

1 A Call to the Enlightened Ones
2 Occurence Currents
3 Ishq
4 I Own
5 Mondanabosh
6 A Dance with the Other
7 History's Fractal Mountain
8 I'm a User
9 Superimposition
10 Overmind Over Matter
11 Heliocentric Strum
12 Have More

notes

THE ANCIENT ECSTATIC BROTHERHOOD OF PARANOISE - Biography

JIM MATUS-Guitar/vocals
Jim Matus studied guitar and composition at Berklee College of Music and privately with John Scofield. In the early 80's, Matus brought his radical stylings to New York where he played with many cutting edge downtown ensembles. He has performed and recorded with such diverse musicians as Don Cherry, Anthony Jackson, Dave Weckl, Percy Jones, Steve Marcus, Lenny Picket, Roy Nathanson, David Torn, Elliot Sharp, Philip Johnston, Gary Windo, Billy Bang, Melvin Gibbs, Al Anderson, and Bern Nix. Early Musical influences such as King Crimson, Spirit and Weather Report later evolved into an obsession with the indigenous music of Africa, the Middle East and India.The Sufi music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and the Moroccan Master Musicians of Jajouka have recently inspired the latest incarnation of Paranoise, along with the philosophies of Noam Chomsky and Terrence McKenna.

THORNE PALMER-Lead vocals/lyrics
Thorne Palmer studied voice and composition at the University of Connecticut and the Hartt School of Music. After he forgot everything they taught him he started playing punk and reggae around Connecticut Massachusetts and New York.

ROHAN GREGORY- Electrified Violin
Rohan Gregory played with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page on their last tour. He Has recorded with the Cajun-Klezmer funk band Hypnotic Clambake. He tours regularly with the Klezmatics, including a Great Woods appearance with Itzahk Perlman. He has performed with Joni Mitchell and his own group, the Arden String Quartet.

BOB LARAMIE-Bass
Bob Laramie has almost 3 decades of experience. He has studied with Michael Manring and played for 8 years with Matt "Guitar" Murphy. He toured Europe twice with trumpet player Laco Dezi. He has played with Moralli Coryelle and Hip Hop/Jazz musician, Saskia Laroo. Bob Builds his own basses, which are as esoteric as his playing, and has repeatedly won the Hartford Advocate reader's poll as "Best Bassist".

GEOFFREY BROWN-Drums/Percussion
Geoffrey Brown first gained recognition with The Monster Band,winner of the Hartford's best Funk Band. In 1997 he created Ninja Rhythms, a solo act consisting of percussion and vocal loops created live. He performs as a harmonic singer and percussionist with the critically acclaimed group Lehland Burr led by overtone singer Jim Cole. He also regularly appears with the funk/rock band Superlove, featuring guitarist Jen Leigh. He was a member of the world renowned Bayonne Bridgemen drumline and has performed in the Far East

ISHQ REVIEWS
"Multi-instrumentalist and composer Jim Matus, along with his band Paranoise is on the cutting edge of the current crop of (World/Rock) bands....an authentic African/Middle Eastern ethnic spirit is at its core embellished with the power and rhythm of rock...This is an outstanding release that hits the mark on every track".
-EXPOSE

"I beg of you, do yourself a favor and check out Paranoise. This is one of those rare chances that one is given to witness the way an entirely new style of music evolves, and even those who are not particularly interested in the band's left wing lyrical exploits will surely find merit in the band's unique musical approach........a band on the crucial verge of reaching perfection through a mastering of the humanly primitive; that is, of the primeval inner sanctum of mankind. The fusion between rock and world music that Paranoise masters is never less than breathtaking".
-PROGFREAKS (Mexico)

"Paranoise are back with a new album, Ishq, and once again this band shows that they are the trailblazers for all those bands trying to merge world music with heavy progressive rock. They have introduced a myriad of ethnic elements, most of them from the Middle East, and have managed to come up trumps once again. Each time I listen to this music, I can really feel the musical bridge that Paranoise is attempting to build between East and West, something which few musicians have managed to fulfill, Peter Gabriel being a notable example. Once again Paranoise have surpassed even themselves,.make sure you don't miss out on Ishq!"
-Dutch Progressive Rock Pages

This one is simply astounding ....Even if you have no interest in 'world music'
per se, keep in mind that Paranoise is to world music as progressive rock is to ordinary rock.
-KINESIS

"This new CD from Paranoise might just be one of the most unique yet bizarre releases in quite some time. Band leader Jim Matus has taken the style that Peter Gabriel made so famous a few years back, fusing rock and world music, and taken it a step further. There is a lot going on here.....the end result is a very demanding listen, and an almost multi-cultural experience. It is a unique sound experience that deserves credit for its originality.
-SEA OF TRANQUILITY

"Enter into the world of Paranoise - where politics and social-consciousness are fully intertwined with music. When you enter Paranoise's world, you find traditional African, Indian, and Middle-Eastern 'World-music' sounds and instrumentation mixed with prog-influenced instruments and sound. With 'ISHQ', the result is a challenging and rewarding experience".
-PROGNOSIS

" Both totally original and heavy as f**k, I can promise that Ishq is unlike anything you have heard before ....an astounding piece of work which is both unique and progressive in the true sense of the word....This is the most original album I have heard in a long time, but I'm just a little worried that playing it in the dark may have conjured up some ancient spirits in my living room"
-WONDROUS STORIES (England)

"With Ishq, the group has transformed a novelty into a fully-integrated fusion of genres...The virtuosity of the musicians (this is one of the strongest hard-rock rhythm sections of the decade), exciting vocal performances, and highly successful synthesis of ethnic traditions into a rock idiom make Ishq a must-have for any music fan with an ear opened to the third world and concerns about globalization -Strongly recommended."
-ALL MUSIC GUIDE

"Compared to their previous album, Private Power, this release is a step forward
in every respect launching the band into the big leagues of modern progressive music.....a fascinating sound collage that boils over with intensity...Ishq is one of the most significant releases of 2001"
-THE GIANT PROGWEED

"This world has seen many albums entitled "western rock meets african culture" but most of them are useless like an elephant's fart. PARANOISE instead are honest, sound honest and the music lets you feel that the mastermind of this band has lost his heart in Northern Africa and that he loves the indigenous people, the culture and the land. This album is an essential item for fans of world-music, folk rock, ethnorock and sophisticated hardrock. Concerning the political message this album (unfortunately) is more up to date than even the band wanted it to be. An outstanding and spectacular album."
-D.U.R.P. (Germany)

"Time to expand your mind"
-THE HARTFORD ADVOCATE

"Ishq continues along the same lines as Private Power, but is much more mature
in its melding of recordings of traditional ethnic folk and spiritual songs with rock instruments. The weaving of ancient and modern sounds here is more seamless..... They're really getting the hang of how to make this concept work."
-NEW GIBRALTER ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PROG. ROCK

"David Byrne once made a statement that he hated the term "World Music" when applied to musicians who made music that was not Western-style, because it implied an "us vs. them" mentality. While His Quirkiness may have a point there, it seems that there may be some exceptions to that thinking, and Paranoise may very well be one of them. Original and fresh, this album should appeal to the senses of any "world music" enthusiast, while offering plenty to the progger as well. It's not often you hear something so different that it's impossible to pigeon-hole into some kind of convenient category, but Paranoise might be just the group that can escape that kind of judgment".
-REELS OF DREAMS UNROLLED

"One musician that quickly stands out is violinist Rohan Gregory. His style of violin playing reminds me of the violin work in Gunesh; his virtuoso-like melodies mix Middle Eastern scales with Asian nuances. Overall, this is an excellent album. In fact, ISHQ is one of the top new albums that I've heard in 2001. Anyone into Peter Gabriel's WOMAD, and world music in general will love the music here"
-GROUND AND SKY

"They draw from traditional songs from Afghanistan and Morocco and they make us almost breath in the dust in the air...one cannot remain indifferent to this and we're easily caught singing along (even not understanding a single word)..They really rock, what else can I say, just go for it!!"
-PROG-PT

Is this the soundtrack to a United Nations convention? Or is it an example of how music is the common language that unites every man, woman or child on this planet? On "ISHQ" (elements of) traditional songs spanning three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe are combined with a 4-6 minute rock format.....the song writing is excellent containing unusual yet challenging rhythms and song structures as well as ear-friendly hooks. "ISHQ" has gained a prominent place in my diverse music collection.
-EDGE OF TIME (Netherlands)

reviews

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  • 'Ishq' is defining a genre
    author: Roland Kreuscher

    Yes, if you want to listen, how a perfect blend of all those musical components listed on this page should sound, listen to 'Ishq'. Every song is a complete story with many different sounds - of course mostly going middle east (all the way from Morocco to Pakistan) Fans of Led Zeppelin could like this. But I'm sure fans of the mid-70ies K. Crimson and of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Shakti should be served best. O.K. they should like it oriental style. If so, they should also try the samples of 'Private Power' and of both Azigza-CDs. As mostly in my reviews (thanks to CDbaby!): If you like the samples here, go for it. There's absolutely no weak moment on this masterpiece.

  • Anti-Bush Soundtrack
    author: TomG

    Get this CD for the great music and the great message. If you have an open mind and heart you will love this CD. If you are already brain washed into believing the corporate facist dictatorship that rules our nation is in fact right in the things they do, then this CD may not be for you. The truth hurts, so listen, learn and used this CD as a catalyst in being your wake up call! As far as "growing up goes", these musicians are fully mature and present you with facts in a very interesting way. Do not be misled by false teachings and the government controlled media who want you to believe there are terrorists around every corner! Do not give up your civil rights and freedoms! Fight back with Paranoise!! Obviously, those preaching "Music not bad, but they need to "grow up" more in regard to some of their political & lifestyle(drug use) advocacy" are no doubt being misled by the mainstream media are misled, lost and missing the message. The music is great, the message is loud and clear. Too bad some will no doubt try to write these guys off. You know, it is becoming a "thought crime" to think and say certain things these days! Paranoise is not afraid to say them! Get this CD Now!!!! Music not bad, but they need to "grow up" more in regard to some of their political & lifestyle(drug use) advocacy.

  • author: LasseM

    Several musical flavours from all around the world, with an steady, groovy, western beat, and a straight-ahead-no-compromising attitude - it may sound like your average worlsmusic diet, but believe me , you have never heard anything like this .

  • world fusion album with a very clear political message
    author: Dieter Fischer

    This is a world fusion album with a very clear political message as stated in the booklet: ....."The economies of the 21st century are being built on a metaphysics that died in the 17th century. These metaphysics are dead and all life forms are atomistic constitutions of dead matter. Modern economy is based on theft. The WTO rules legitimize that theft. The present rules are high tech rules for slavery. The culture that we are living in is an infantile culture. The world is set on a course of catastrophe."....... A message that I can fully support BTW. For this review, I'd like to put this a bit aside, what's not that easy since it's a very essential part of this work. Even if one concentrates exclusively on the music, one has to admit that this is a great album. It's actually very difficult to describe, one really has to listen to it. Oriental vocals and percussion, perfectly melt together with elements of folk and hardrock, driving guitars, great violin and grooving rhythms. It's definitively not another one of these "west meets east-kinda world music" albums, it's completely different. An absolute masterpiece and an essential album for anyone interested in general humanistic questions and actually it should be listened by all fanatics from any religion and all political and economic leaders of western world who are mainly responsable for all the misery and terrorism in our one and only world that belongs to everybody!

  • nice but a little too "cute" for it's own good, esp. re the politics/philso.
    author: Mike Ritter

    Music not bad, but they need to "grow up" more in regard to some of their political & lifestyle(drug use) advocacy.

  • author: CD Baby

    Progressive rock meets progressive politics; world music meets otherworldliness. Forget what you know or think you know about the genre. This CD has amazing instrumentation, musicianship, creativity and tribal chants running all over the place. Even if progressive rock isn't your bag, give it a shot, it is really interesting to listen to.

  • Progressive rock with amazing world music expression and presentation.
    author: Pamela Rooney

    You’re sick of listening to the same old progressive rock records, knowing which fills are coming next, and you need new riffs to learn. Here ya go. Here lie all the elements that make up great progressive rock: rhythm section that’s innovative and more solid than granite, super guitar majesty, and soaring vocals. Introduce to the picture some samples of traditional tribal music (Asian, Australian, African, Celtic) as well as atypical instrumentation (progressive violin, anyone?) and prepare for rock satisfaction. This CD can be described as having flowed in a natural progression from its influences, but also provides a departure into the realm of world music. Happy early/belated birthday, and we love you too.

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