Build An Ark: Love Part 2
Following up last year’s acclaimed LP Love, Carlos Nino and Build An Ark bring their mostly improvisational companion album: Love part 2.A lot of the music for both LPs was recorded as part of the same sessions. But while the two records are related musically, they’re quite different. Love part 2 might share the same dynamic range as its predecessor, but there’s a decidedly looser lean - with more improvised passages, soul-jazz vocals, and hypnotic Reichian movements.
As Carlos explains, “We would get into these improvs, usually lead by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and I, to warm up, and open up, ultimately knowing that we would get to making some very special music. There was one very special session that I arranged with violinist Michael White, poet Kamau Daaood, sitarist Paul Livingstone, harpist Rebekah Raff , and vocalist Leisei Chen, alongside organ, upright bass, cello, viola, 2nd violin, and percussion. It was a wonderful session that a lot of the extended improvs came from, including World Music, Ginger, and Improvisation Day 10, and the opening to Love Part 2, ‘Cosmic Tuning’, was also recorded that
day.” But not all the tracks are improvised, and Carlos went to great lengths to represent some classic west coast soul-jazz vocal tracks, as well as some mixing desk manipulation. “After we recorded Mia Doi Todd’s ‘The Yes Song’ “ he says, “I turned it into an ode to The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour.
I edited, reversed, and effected the recording, adding river and ocean sounds, and when it was done I had Miguel Atwood-Ferguson write and record the beautiful string arrangement that soars above it.”
The song ‘Say Yes!’ is a tribute to the ecstatic energy of the piece as well as referencing its original name. ‘What The World Needs Now Is Love’ and ‘Tryin’ Times’ featuring Carmen Lundy, were both recorded at the radio station where Carlos records his Spaceways radio show, KPFK 90.7fm, Los Angeles. “They’re classic, live, unadulterated California soul-jazz recordings that I wanted to use to add
to the diversity of the set”, he says, “while unifying the two parts of ‘Love’ with wonderful vocal energy”.
