MASTER DRUMMERS
PAT MASTELOTTO & TOBIAS RALPH
PRESENT
ToPaRaMa
King Crimson, Weather Report and Post-Rock
Collide On Their Latest Release
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE JUNE 17, 2014
AND THROUGH 7D MEDIA RECORDS.
DIGITAL PRE-SALES START JUNE 1.
PLEASE VISIT WWW.7DMEDIA.COM FOR DETAILED INFO.
Pat Mastelotto
Drums, Percussion, Sound Design
Tobias Ralph
Drums, Cowbell, Rhodes
Markus Reuter
U8 Touch Guitar
Roy Powell
Rhodes and Moog samples
Lorenzo Feliciati
Bass, Keys, Strings
Tony Levin
Upright bass
David Rothenberg
Clarinet
Angelica Sanchez
Piano
Bernhard Wöstheinrich
Soundscape
Bill Munyon &
Leashya Padma Munyon
Vocals & Samples
Robert Fisher
Spoken Words
"OM"- Sample from Olivier Messiaen Le Merle Noir
New York, May 29, 2014 - Toparama is a true meeting of the minds. Itʼs a one-of-a-kind release that captures the explosive energy of drummers Pat Mastelotto and Tobias Ralph. But Toparama isnʼt a typical chops-driven "drummer's album." Itʼs a disc of artfully-composed pieces, full of melodic elements and infectious grooves. Recorded by Mastelotto and mastered by Unsung Productions, the album combines influences as diverse as Weather Reportʼs funk-fueled jazz-rock, King Crimsonʼs polyrhythmic-prog stylings, Peter Gabriel's Passion and shape-shifting post-rock.
Pat Mastelotto is one of the worldʼs most celebrated drummers. He has been a member of every King Crimson lineup from 1994 to the present, as well as the offshoot band The Crimson ProjeKCt. In addition, heʼs one third of Stick Men, a trio with Tony Levin and Markus Reuter. Mastelotto has also collaborated with Terry Bozzio, Trey Gunn, Allan Holdsworth, Kimmo Pohjonen, Steven Wilson, XTC, Mr. Mister, David Sylvain, Sugercubes, Robyn Hitchcock, Jude Cole, Rembrandts, Cock Robin, Trail of the Dead, Chrysta Bell, and on various RareNoiseRecords projects.
Tobias Ralphʼs resume is dizzying in its diversity. His innovative drumming can be found on projects by Defunkt, Amy Denio, Everlast, Royston Langdon, Nena, Screaming Headless Torsos, and Tricky - to name a handful. Heʼs also a long-time member of the Adrian Belew Power Trio and The Crimson ProjeKCt.
After touring together as co-percussionists in The Crimson ProjeKCt, both musicians sensed major chemistry. They forged ahead with an egoless collaboration. Both musicians are also multi-instrumentalists who contribute vocals, keyboards, chords, drones, and a myriad of other sound design elements throughout. Additionally, Toparama features bassists Lorenzo Feliciati and Tony Levin,touch guitarist Markus Reuter, and keyboardist Roy Powell.
"Toparama is the culmination of 50-plus drum performances Iʼve done with Pat," said Ralph. "His time is absolutely metronomic and his groove is so deep, yet heʼs also capable of incredible polyrhythmic stuff. Somehow, it all feels as accessible as your favorite funk tune, but in 11/8. Our hope is that people hear the joy and life stories coming through these pieces."
"Tobias is one of the fastest drummers youʼll ever hear," reciprocated Mastelotto. "He makes Buddy Rich sound like a stuttering Netflix stream. Heʼs the Federal Reserve Bank of drum knowledge. But weʼve really made something that goes way beyond just drumming. This album is about communicating about the world through our instruments."
The disc offers compelling diversity. It includes a reimagined, visceral variation of the classic King Crimson drum duet "BʼBoom," revisited as "BaBaBoom" as well as the killer, ultra-addictive electro-rock of "New O." "Sing Sang Sung" finds the duo exploring a Drummers of Burundi-influenced African approach. And thereʼs the hilarious vocal-infused "Bad Ass Van, Man" that crosses King Crimsonʼs "Thela Hun Ginjeet" with Cheech and Chong.
Dig in. Immerse yourself in Toparama. Your troubles will be distant memories.
TRACKS
1. Willie's In The Backyard
2. NY5
3. Mama Will Bark
4. Little People
5. Sing Sang Sung
6. Floor Over Heaven
7. Up Heavy
8. New O
9. MooBaba
10. BaBaBoom
11. Rendezvous With Rama
12. OM
13. Bad Ass Van Man
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