Convergence- The degree or point at which lines , objects etc…converge.
Is this what Mike Murray created? Let take a look shall we?
The opening piece is simply entitled Prologue and has a dreamy opening like the promise of a musical box ready to come to life. It quickly slips into “Point of Origin”. Immediately it gives me a Jeff Beck vibe with the interplay between the drums and the vocals elevate the intense guitar playing. This is the kind of progressive jazz fusion that Toronto artists don’t really strive for these days. This is already all coming together.
Once you come back down to earth, “Streetwise” gets hungry and seems to become a predator in search of prey. I just hope it doesn’t eat chickens.
After a good meal it is nice to go for a stroll in the rain with “Barrish”. This weather front seems to have a Southeast Asian vibe. With a flute pattern that seems to be leading us on through calm and refreshing natural reaction.
When reaching the mid-point of this record, you hear the first real vocals of Arianna Rueda. Her voice adds a new and exotic flavour. It is like travelling to a new country and hearing the culture for the first time. It is large and smooth and has a breathless quality that keeps you engaged.
The flow of this record is like a great river. It takes you someplace with all its twists and turns and moods. The varied ideas so far are filled with fresh emotions and themes.
BLAH is a track that has a theme I quite can’t put my little chicken wing on. It rocks really well with those Middle Eastern themes weaving it ways through like a beautiful tapestry. But what does BLAH mean? Best laugh all holiday? Boasting llamas always holler? HALB backwards? Well, I guess you will just have to listen to this and cook your own egg to it.
OOOHHH, turn down the lights and butter me up. “Next to me” is a beautiful ballad, built for the romantic and builds up with a warm spiritual embrace. The passionate vocals you hear on this belong to, Shourya Jain. She creates a place that you can spend all day in. Simply bliss.
The band finishes off this journey with “Connections”. Remember this album is about intersecting lines and converging ideas.
For little old me, I feel very earthy as I think of the most connected beings on this planet. Mycelium, yes it is a species that is more connected than any other species.I believe if you play this ablum outdoors loud, the earth will connect itself a little tighter because of the thought put into this recording. Mike Murray’s Convergence plays out in a very special way. Each song seems to flow into each other flawlessly and contains all the right ingredients to be a most satisfying meal. Hopefully, it is a meal without chickens involved. But if this is the way I have to go, I wouldn’t complain too much.
At the end of this record , I feel this journey through the inner and outer cosmos becomes a statement about reconnecting with yourself. And in the end isn’t that the best journey of all.
Mike Murray will be putting forth his new material at The Pilot on June 19th at 6:30. Get your tickets now, because this will be a sold out show.
Here is the link to buy those tickets- Mike Murray Group Tickets, Friday, June 19 • 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Eventbrite
If you don’t make the show but want to hear this fantastic album just click this link and get you copy today.
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