Mike Khoury / Ben Hall - It's Not A Fear Of Falling, It's A Fear Of Landing FLAC

Astonishing debut LP by percussionist Ben Hall (Graveyards/Broken Research) and violinist Mike Khoury (Graveyards, Faruq Z. Bey Northwood Improvisers). 'It's not a fear of falling, it's a fear of landing' is simply one of the wildest works of free music we got the chance to experience in recent times.

Khoury emits ribbons of lyrical, stream of-consciousness violin playing, alternately letting his notes really hang, or focusing on small, scratchy sounds or dissonant harmonies. His violin lines can equally recall some Eastern European folk melody, some Middle East vibe (Mike is Palestinian), some primitive blues riff, and even some African influence (Listen to the almost kalimba-like sound of the fingerpicked violin on track 1).

On his part, Ben Hall offers a set of incredibly high energy and density with a furious work on percussions, blasting away at his instrument, or masterfully building tension. Hall's frenetic ryhtm patterns pop and crash along in the background making his drum kit sound like the epicenter of an earthquake.

Far from being just a great free jazz recording, this is music that breaks any geographical / historical / esthetical border, showing intact the power of an ancient pagan ritual. Call it an exorcism.

Hand-numbered edition of only 125 copies, with silkscreened cover.