aaamusic | On 31, Jan 2011

Jon Peel-Endorsed 1980’s Electronica Guru Returns !

Lee Negin is an internationally recognized composer, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, synthesist, sound sculptor, producer and recording engineer. Lee Negin’s music has gone through many phases. He was a pioneer in the international Indie/techno/new wave movement of the 1980s, with his recordings receiving airplay around the world. He is listed as an influential artist in “The International Discography of the New Wave” (edited by B. George and Martha Defoe (Omnibus Press).

Two full-length CDs of new material are slated for release in 2011 on his own label, Passing Phase Records. February will see the release of “Hungry Ghosts,” a 13-track album of music that features tracks with both the ability to thrill  with the beauty of their ethereal melodies and electronic beats, and/or make them crack up to sardonic and satirical lyrics.

“My musical influences are very diverse,” notes Negin, “and with ‘Hungry Ghosts’ you can choose to whirl like a Dervish or transcend body consciousness, and everything in between. This is new world music,” Negin states, “but in these tracks I think you will hear echoes of Kraftwerk, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, synth-pop bands, Jimi Hendrix, Indian ragas, modern jazz, classical music from eastern and western traditions and Frank Zappa-esque humor and social commentary.”

Lee began his musical journey aged seven, learning trumpet, drums, euphonium and playing in school bands as well as at bars and clubs in jazz and rock bands. He also attended the renowned Cleveland Institute of Music and Boston’s Berklee College of Music.

A 6-song EP entitled “Two Sides” was released in 1980, followed shortly thereafter by a second release, “Wired for Sound” b/w “Nothing Goes Right.” Lee played everything on these tracks, which received glowing reviews and international airplay, including the highly influential Jon Peel at BBC Radio. Around this time, Lee was collaborating with the founders of the Detroit Techno movement, members of a band called Cybotron.

The early 1990s found him living in Japan, where he got the music bug again and resulted in the CD ‘Balance,’ recorded in Santa Barbara in 1993, and released in 1994. In 2009, a German record label re-released some of his material and he re-entered the music arena with an explosion of creativity and interest in his work,

Born in the USA, Lee has lived in India, Japan, England and Poland. A visitor to more than 40 countries, he currently resides in Seoul, Korea, where he is a professor at Hanyang University. This well travelled, diverse approach to living certainly shines through in his eclectic approach to music.

http://www.leenegin.com
http://www.myspace.com/leenegin
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lee-Negin/1538287405
http://www.youtube.com/passingphasemusic

Putting the listener  into a vortex of sound, vision and emotion, Lee Negin’s “Hungry  Ghosts” covers a lot of musical ground. And space. The grand design  of classical composers meets the mad professor of electronica-gone-wild and  all you can do is hang on or bliss out depending on the mood and style of  whichever track you decide to ride.

“Hungry Ghosts” track-by-track:

“The Sound of No Sound”
Ominous yet somehow welcoming  at the same time.

“The Saga of Cheeze”
Recalls Prince, Frank Zappa, James Brown, Tom Waits, the “Theme from  Shaft” !

“Pas de Deux”
Features the vocals of Negin and Sulene Fleming, who together sound like a  cosmic Sonny & Cher.

“Same Town, Different  Universe”
Exploring the idea that reality is subjective. “Although we inhabit the same space (relatively), our  perceptions and realities are different,”

“One & Only True  Manhood”
Electronica meets heavy metal, with a bit of Frank Zappa. The story of a  hyped-up used-car salesman from hell pedaling Erectile Dysfunction products !

“Let Go”
Double tracked chanting vocals, Negin dips into a variety of influences,  including The Cars &Eno.

“Masks”
Part One is orchestral-rock that displays Negin’s love for Ennio Morricone  and Sergio Leone.. Part Two is smiling goblins playing Middle-Eastern  instruments. In Part Three, all hell breaks loose !
“Mahayana”
Dark and gothic, a tip of the hat to the great bands of the psychedelic era.

“Siddhartha’s Smile”
A piano in the rain, an orchestra, and the voice of an angel.

“Not Knowing Mind”
Tabla, sitar, sarod, Indian instruments. Frightening and beautiful  underneath.
“Cheeze takes on the  N.A.N.ites”
Fusing something from every type of sonic source, including Japanese girls in  orgasmic frenzy.

“The Dance” Diverse Grooves, A remixer’s  delight.

“Hungry Ghosts”
The soundtrack to all your fears.