Search - Steve Coleman, Five Elements :: Lucidarium

No traces of musical evolution

spitama | Bergen, Norway | 05/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"True enough, every fan of the sort of music Steve Coleman was involved in during the last 5 years will enjoy this music. It is certainly not bad, and sometimes exceptional. But I don't quite see that it goes beyond what Steve Coleman has released previously. Somehow, it all sounds all too familiar. Steve Coleman's music has consistently evolved over the years, and I, for my part, find that CD musically to close to his previous releases. No particular need to go for this one. (And I won't comment on his mystic-babble liner notes.)"

Edgy, weird, haunting

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 09/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Coleman has been pursuing his unique musical vision for almost two decades now. Never having achieved the exalted status of some of his contemporaries, he has nevertheless slogged on through thick and thin. To these ears, he's achieved some kind of musical Valhalla with this, his latest disc.



For one thing, there's just a whole lot going on in this music, not all of it entirely pleasant, but never less than interesting. For example, the wordless vocals at first seem jarring, even annoying, as does the rapping. A closer listen reveals how these elements--almost magically--suit the proceedings (and I generally despise rap "music"). Same with the extremely close, even microtonal harmonies. "You can't get away with that!" was my first thought on hearing this music. Then, on repeated listenings, it all began to--weirdly--fit together. Ditto the sometimes free-floating, other times impossibly dense, rhythmic conception, not to mention the blending of New Music, World Jazz, Classical, bebop, hip-hop, and who knows what other elements. What amazes is that Coleman never seems to lose control of the vast musical forces he deploys.



For many, this will probably come across as just plain weird--a kind of artistic self-stimulation(?), scarcely worth hearing, let alone praising. Those who have ears to hear, however, will welcome its rhythmic dynamism, its wild eclecticism, its brash insouciance, its luxuriant efflorescence.



Sound like your deal? Then it's worth a listen or ten."

Another Level

Ben Miller | Philadelphia | 01/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great recording, so many layers, influences, it is at times a struggle to take it all in but always well worth it. The music is phenomenal."