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Jim Cole and Mathias Grassow
The Last Bright Light

 The Last Bright Light is the follow-up to The Hollow,
an exceptional CD by  Jim Cole and Mathias Grassow.
That CD features Jim’s overtone vocals and Mathias’ electronics and
processes. On one track, he joins Jim and performs on overtone vocals.
This  CD features overtone harmonic singing, reverberation and
loops – with electronic support only on track seven!

It is an amazing creation! Mere words do not do justice to these
brilliant compositions and performances! The overtones are powerful
and direct. Casual listening, while rewarding, is not an option.
Simple tasks become burdensome as the music takes over and surrounds
the synapses in the brain. Jim and Mathias are not trying
to control the listener. They are providing a holistic healing vessel.
At that, there are no mistakes and no missteps.

This disc has been ready for release since some time in 2002. Mike
Griffin had it on the Hypnos release list for over a year.
Frustrated by the inactivity, Jim and Mathias reached an agreement
with Atmo Works for a May, 2004 release. Mike’s loss is to the
advantage of James Johnson and John Strate-Hootman (Vir Unis),
the owners of AW.

This outstanding CD is more than essential. It is a must-have! - Jim Brenholts  





Jim Cole

The Way Beyond

Jim Cole is one of the most talented and divinely 
gifted individuals in this -- or any other -- world. It is still 
beyond belief that he is able to create deep ambient 
space music with simple vocal loops and natural 
reverberation. The Way Beyond is a set of pure 
bliss! Jim recorded these pieces while he was creating 
tracks for his upcoming collaboration with Mathias 
Grassow -- The Last Bright Light.  This disc is 
pure magic and pure majesty. The overtone qualities of 
Jim's voice are natural and create warm meditative 
atmospheres. Jim's sound design gives the set outer 
space and sci-fi timbres. In fact, this might be his 
deepest space music yet! It is, succinctly, a great CD and 
Jim's ticket to the perpendicular universe! ~ -Jim 
Brenholts




Mathias Grassow & Jim Cole, The Hollow
Arya, Y14
www.amplexus.it
www.mathias-grassow.de
www.spectralvoices.com


Mathias Grassow has been one of the world's leading minimalists for almost 
twenty years.  Jim Cole, a relative newcomer, has already earned the status 
of the leading overtone singer.  Both men are deeply spiritual and provide 
meditative backgrounds and contemplative vehicles with their music.  They 
collaborated for The Hollow, a deep expansive atmosphere.

It is easy to get lost in this set.  In fact, getting is lost is a 
recommended listening technique.  Subtle rhythms, ethnic instruments and low 
drones take listeners and pull them on a ride.  The ride is smooth and 
delicate.

But it is not a dark journey.  And it is not bright or energetic either.  It 
is somber and contemplative.  Jim's style blends perfectly with Mathias' 
style.  Mathias and Jim give deep listeners all that they need and all that 
they can handle.

There are some interesting twists and highlights.  Mathias performs the main 
vocal on track six, "Contemplation."   Klaus Wiese (of Popol Vuh) contributes 
on singing bowls, glass-harp, bow-chime and up-right.  Aman is the 
didgeridooist.
  
This CD is a treasure and one of Mathias' most accessible albums.  Jim just 
continues to amaze.

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Mathias Grassow, Amir Baghiri, True North
Arya, Y07, 1998
www.amirbaghiri.com
mathias.grassow@naspa-online.de
blueboxamir@aol.com

True North is a set of ominous tribal minimalism from Amir Baghiri and 
Mathias Grassow. This is truly an inspired project undertaken by two of 
Germany's top electronicians.

Mathias has long been the undisputed leader of the minimalist drone. Amir is 
one of Europe's leading tribal minimalists. This dark and foggy set plays 
off their differences and to their similarities.

The music relates to the challenge of overcoming the obstacles imposed by the 
foreboding desolation of northern landscapes and the accompanying mythology. 
By accepting the challenge, humanity gained strength and insight and a 
connection to forgotten roots. Overcoming the challenge gives man a sense of 
power and an inflated ego.

So, the music, while triumphant at times, speaks more to the angst of 
isolation and the pain of neglect and abandonment.

This is great dark ambience and an essential CD. Mathias is coming into his 
own and Amir into his. This will be a collector's item when they get there. 
- Jim Brenholts

Mathias Grassow, Soil of Awareness
Mathias Grassow Music, CDR, 2000
www.mathias-grassow.de


Soil of Awareness is a double CD of deep dark droning minimalism from Mathias 
Grassow. This artistic genius has been overlooked and written off for too 
long. It is easy to write about his drones (I've done it.) and a cheap shot 
to complain about them.

It is harder to give Mathias his due. He has been recording in diverse 
styles for close to 20 years. His perseverance alone is worthy of praise.
But his creativity and originality are amazing! These are not drones just 
for the sake of drones. There are definite timbres and subtle nuances in 
this reflective soundscape. Listening to this is almost like a religious 
experience. The somber attitude and sober posture of the incessant drone and 
the stark atmospheres have absolute integrity and strong forces. This is 
ambience with an exclamation point! Mathias deserves many accolades and 
positive support. - Jim Brenholts




Mathias Grassow, Lifecycles
AIM, 1994
www.mathias-grassow.de


Mathias Grassow is definitely the king of ambient drones. He does that so 
well and with such musical integrity that it is surprising, pleasantly so, 
when he dresses them up.
  
Lifecycles is one of those surprises. This rhythmic display of Mathias' 
ambient soundworlds grabs deep listeners with smoking rock and roll guitar 
riffs and a hot rock rhythm. The drone, subdued and in the background, 
carries the heavy sequences and the large-scale soundscapes.

And this is not done superfluously. Mathias took a risk with his departure 
from his normal minimalist style. This is a biorhythmic extravaganza, 
complete with Middle Eastern influences.

It is good to hear Mathias diversifying.  It adds to his status in the 
e-music community. - Jim Brenholts







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