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This past Friday a strange and powerful musical beast descended onto a
somewhat unsuspecting Portland audience. While the band Garaj Mahal has
performed in Portland on 4 previous occasions (and never once disappointed)
what transpired at the Roseland Theater's downstairs stage was nothing short
of the most dynamic musical exchange these ears and eyes have witnessed in a
very long time, if not ever.
The show kicked off at just about 10pm. The Roseland Grill had as festive
an atmosphere as i'd ever seen it. The live Sector 9 preshow music that was flowing through the sound system was quite effective at getting the
comfortable crowd ready for an extended evening of entertainment. As Garaj
took the stage and began to play, the mood quickly shifted from social
conversation to focused amazement. It's great to watch people who have
never seen Garaj Mahal before....eyes wide, jaws down.
The music extended far and wide, bundles of notes layered out over a broad
melodic structure. Song structure continuously segued in and out of jams,
some appearing familiar to the musicians while others most certainly seemed
spontaneous. Regular Garaj keyboardist Eric Levy was absent this evening
due to a physical ailment, but filling in was a percussionist whose name
escapes me. He apparently played with King Sunny Ade for twenty or so
years. He was obviously talented and his percussive precision added a
perfect compliment to Alan Hertz's rhythmic mastery. About two hours into the set I thought they might actually take a set break when I noticed guitarist Fareed Haque and bassist Kai Eckhardt put down their instruments and head off stage, but their departure quickly transformed into a monster drum expedition. After 10 or so minutes of this tribal tranquility Fareed and Kai reappeared and launched into a beautiful guitar-bass duet as the drummers departed for a moment of rest.
The evening climaxed for me when local saxman Rob Scheps joined Garaj
onstage. Scheps is easily one of the best tenor players on the west coast
and it is a real treat getting to see him in expansive arrangements. He
apparently knows Kai Eckhardt from their early days at Berklee School of
Music in Boston. Scheps was also a musical guest at the legendary Medeski, Martin & Wood shack parties in New York City in late '96. As Scheps stepped onstage, the band
launched into the tune "Hindi Gumbo." The musical interplay between Fareed
and Scheps was monstrous! Easily one of the most impressive moments of
musical improvisation i've EVER seen. Scheps stayed on for the closing tune
"Mondo Garaj." This unbelievable night of music clocked in as one set that
lasted three and a half hours!!! The venue manager told me he thought it
was the longest single set in the venues history (aside from George Clinton,
maybe). It was simply an evening of pure musical bliss.
Garaj Mahal | 10.26.01 | Roseland Grill | Portland OR
Jan Jan, World Peace, Stoked on Rasaki Jam, Never Give Up Giving It Up, B.
Dope, Gulam Sabri, Ivory Tower, Madagascar, Poodle Factory, God Rest Ye
Merry Gentlemen, Thursday, Liquid Vision, Hindi Gumbo*, Mondo Garaj*
*w/ Rob Scheps on tenor sax
(setlist listed without segue's or jams, which there were too many to list)
Rymo
JamBase | Portland, OR
Go See Live Music!
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