RHYTHMOTOMY: Rhythmotomy

Rhythmotomy

Rhythmotomy

© 2001 Rhythmotomy (625989147227)

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Atmospheric world music that bridges the space between dance and dreams as it merges tribal rhythms and ethereal soundscapes designed to move your mind as well as your feet.

tracks

1 Shekere
2 Alice in Bali
3 Down the Rabbit Hole
4 Tarzan in Tibet
5 {way} Off the Beaten Path
6 Iwannabeanaborigine
7 Mystic Romp
8 Shiko
9 Snake Pit
10 Wasabe on a Poptart
11 Starving for Rice
12 The Lake Shrine
13 Smiling Buddha

notes

Home Spun

Rhythmotomy: An American Prayer

Say what?: Band names don't always come easy, even
with the aid of a thesaurus. In Rhythmotomy's case, it was-
n't just a name they were looking for. Their whole sound
trip was a language, and a word had to be created to
translate their sonic hieroglyphs. On the CD, Rhythmoto-
my is defined as 1) surgical severance of rhythmical
boundaries; 2) a group of like-minded individuals who
take percussion to new dimensions; 3) Steve Sandstedt,
Jim Long, Tom Hollow, Bob Dreisbach.

Sacred grounds: The men found each other at a Thou-
sand Oaks drum circle in 1993. Thanks to Robert BIy and
the men's movement, drum circles were all the rage, but
the men who would form Rhythmotomy were already
well versed in the rudiments of drumming. The group still
resides above the grade (literally and figuratively) and can
be found the third Sunday of every month at Conejo
Creek Park invoking the drum lords and indoctrinating
the curious.

Psychedelic paradiddles: Rhythmotomy's self-titled,
self-produced debut CD is a percussive peace pipe that
"combines ethnic rhythms and technology" to create
what they call a "new music for the 21st century." It's
music to be to, do to, dream to and most definitely
dance to. It's been called psychedelic drumming and
could be classified under "new age," but will never be found in a woodenrack full of "soundscapes" at Target; it's
too good. When pushed to categorize their atmospheric,playful and provocative compositions, the term "worldfusion" is favored.

Bang a gong: If Rhythmotomy's sound is light years from garage rock, their extensive and eclectic collection of
instruments would leave little room foran automobile. Aluminum and ceramic doumbeks, anklung, artillery casings, balafon, djembe, ngoma, shaman drum, slit drums, apple chime, gongs, congas, harmonium, garage door spring, energy chimes, Tibetan singing bowls and a variety of synthesizers and samplers are some of the tools the group employs to effect the textural complexity heard on the CD. For their next recording (they're currently in the studio), Rhythmotomy is experimenting with glass chakra bowls, which are tuned to resonate with the human body's energy centers, or chakras. The idea is to create music that's not only pleasing or evocative but also healthy.

Banking on bliss: "Do what you love and the rest will
follow," is a noble dictum to be sure, but the cost of bliss
can be steep. Just one instrument in Rhythmotomy's
cache, the bass waterphone, is made by just one man in
Hawaii and runs about $1,600. Unlike many of their fel-
low musicians in the rock genre, these guys don't resent
their day jobs. They understand that having extra dough
in the pantry allows for more freedom on the cutting
board. The lack of financial pressure serves the creative
process. That's not to say they haven't tasted success.
Rhythmotomy is regularly solicited for soundtrack work
and the field is wide-open in terms of opportunity. Rhyth-
motomy can be found at cdbaby.com, Wally World Music
and the outer realms of consciousness and possibility.

Michel Cicero

VCR June 20, 2002

reviews

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  • Infectious
    author: Down South

    I love working out to this CD. I also like to imitate them as they dissect the basic rhythms - makes me feel like part of the circle. My only complaint is that the tracks are too short, making it seem sometimes like just a sampling rather than a complete experience.

  • Can't keep from dancing!
    author: julia burton

    This percution group passes all ages in music. I could be listening now or 4 thousand years ago! Perfect for my taste and great background music for parties because you can't help but move around. Nobody is sitting in a clique so nobody feels left out. You don't need chemical assitance to realy get into it and that is a big plus as I don't go there! Thanks boys. More please.

  • author: CD Baby

    Atmospheric world music that bridges the space between dance and dreams as it merges tribal rhythms and ethereal soundscapes that move your mind as well as your feet. TONS of layers and noises. At its core, it is a rhythmic masterpiece which glides seamlessly through traditional and experimental forms of percussion. Around the edges, you'll experience the icing on the cake... effects and instruments you didn't know were out there.

  • Ambient electronics meet tribal rhythms in this bewitching World album.
    author: Tamara D. Turner

    As recently quoted by a source so revered and adored by the music industry that she dare not reveal her identity and whereabouts at cdbaby, Rhythmotomy is the Sigur Ros of World music. But you didn't hear it from us. This reverie of electronic sophistication blended with unadulterated ethnic energy and entrancing minimalism is one that will not only bend the limitations of your dance skill but the boundaries of your mind as well. With a dedication to taking percussion to new dimensions since 1993, this group, with over 100 years of combined drumming experience, evokes dream-inducing states but yet always defers to the clearly conceived direction and vision of the music. This is a perfect meeting of tradition and technology.

  • Wonderful, better than Planet Drum
    author: Babz@bangarang

    The CD is excellent. I received a copy from a friend and think that it's meditative as well as something great to play while in the bedroom

  • Food for the brain!
    author: Cybrsu

    Music for the Thinking person. Glad to have found something complex and rhythmic to listen to instead of the boring tripe that passes for music these days. Love it!

  • "Dancingly" meditative
    author: D Grabow

    Should I dance? Should I tap? Should I meditate? Will expect to hear this group creating music for the movies.

  • Hypnotic!
    author: Candy

    I found my mind yearning to meditate and my body wanting to get up and dance! I heard rhythmical sounds/instruments that I have never heard before. I hope to hear more from this band!

  • Great music, love to listen to when relaxing
    author: Tiffany Babich

    The artists did a wonderful job on putting together so many different instrements! It is both relaxing and catchy!! I love it!!

  • The sound gives harmony to my soul
    author: S Fiskewold

    Have been playing the CD here at my office (City Govt) and all agree the sound does something special for your soul. Can listen to it over and over again and each time hear the effects of a new sound. I put this CD on the top of my list.

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