Jamal R. Moore
(1979)
Medium:
Two-channel audio, 22:34 min.

Sound Transcript:

Movement I

[Bamboo flute enters, evoking whispers of human voices and birds.]

[The flute mimics the wind, its sound echoing through a vast valley.]

[The atmosphere builds, adding the sounds of a cascading waterfall, heavy rain, and the rustling of tree branches in the wind.]

[A bamboo flute harmonizes into a chorus of multiple voices.]

[Crickets enter, layered over the heavy rain and flowing water.]

[Ocean waves blend with the heavy rain.]

[Crickets continue to chirp.]

[Heavy rain intensifies, pouring steadily.]

[The water and flute gradually fade into the background.]

Movement II

[The bougarabou drum enters with a steady pulse and rhythm.]

[A shaker joins, its sound reminiscent of salt and pepper shakers.]

[The dagomba drum enters, interacting with the bougarabou drum.]

[Artist description: Imagine two figures standing atop a mountain, dressed in Indigenous ceremonial attire. Engaged in a deep discussion about the fate of Earth and its natural resources, they discuss the natural resources it provides to humans. Their conversation dwells on the human-made materials—plastics, Teflon—that disrupt the soil and its essential minerals.]

[The drums conclude.]

[The likembe finger piano enters, its single melody voice resonating slowly.]

[The zanza begins to play a joyful, polyrhythmic dance.]

[Arist description: Envision a person walking alone through a North American forest in early fall, speaking aloud in deep self-reflection. A subtle tension lingers—an awareness of being watched.]

[The zanza returns to a single melodic line.]

[The Zanza plays in a polyrhythmic pattern, adding movement and energy.]

[A low electronic frequency in the form of a sub-bass lo-fi rumbles like an impending earthquake.]

[The electronic sounds gradually intensify.]

[A single high-pitched tone emerges, hovering above the bass.]

[Sweeping electronic sounds sweep back and forth.]

[A piano enters, playing in F minor with sustained notes and a rallentando effect. Higher-pitched tones float above the acoustic piano.]

[The piano gradually blends with electronic phasing.]

[The kalimba joins, playing a polyrhythmic melody in A minor.]

[The piano fades, leaving the kalimba to continue over the bass frequency.]

[The bass frequency cuts off.]

[The alto saxophone enters, launching into a powerful blues improvisation.]

[The saxophone’s sound floats between two mountains, its echoes bouncing back and forth.]

[A pure acoustic saxophone solo emerges.]

[The saxophone sustains a single note in F minor.]

[The improvisation gradually dissipates, fading into complete silence.]