Terry Riley - A Rainbow in Curved Air (1969)

Terry Riley is no doubt one of the granddaddies of Minimalism. His early music, In C and the two works on this disc, brought to light the musical possibilities of rapid-fire notation and shifting sonic textures to a new form of music. Riley has done this primarily through electronic keyboards and computer technology. The composer plays all the instruments on this extraordinary disc: electric organ, electric harpsichord, "rocksichord," dumbec, tambourine, and soprano saxophone. The music is spooky, if not deeply meditative, and at times borders on the hypnotic with droning organ does a great job of achieving this and reflects a structural aspect borrowed from eastern music, particularly Indian classical music. A Rainbow in Curved Air will always have a special place in the collections of late 20th century American music.

Tracklist

1 A Rainbow in Curved Air
for electric piano, dumbak & tambourines

2 Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band
for soprano sax, electronic keyboard & tape delay (from "Dorian Reeds")


CBS Records (MK 7315)