Acupressurist and electronic composer Sam McClellan's Music of the Five Elements is a work of perfectly tuned healing music. A deeply felt distillation Minimalism (in the Tony Conrad / La Monte Young school), American Primitive guitar (Fahey & Basho) and even psychedelia. The album is a continuous sound voyage for voice, synthesizer, guitar, bowed bass, piano, effects and ciao (Chinese flute) all played by McClellan himself. Although divided into sections, the journey is best undertaken as a whole, without distraction. As McClellan himself wrote on the original liner notes:
"The optimum effect of Music of the Five Elements will be achieved if each side of this recording is played through, from beginning to end without interruption. Music of the Five Elements, when used as a meditational or body work tool, rather than entertainment, will increase in effect over time. Overplaying or improper use, however, may eventually diminish its designed effect.”
Re-mixed and mastered from the original master reels.
credits
released June 12, 2018
Part One: Gathering
A1 Wood
A2 Metal
A3 Fire
A4 Water
A5 Earth
A6 Wood
Part Two: Focussing
B1 Wood
B2 Earth
B3 Water
B4 Fire
B5 Metal
B6 Wood
Guitar, piano, synthesizer, bowed bass, ciao (chinese flute), vocals and all effects written and performed by Sam McClellan.
Music of the 5 Elements was conceived, written, performed, recorded and mixed by Sam McClellan in 1982. Recorded at Hampshire College Electronic Music School. Mixed at Le Studio, Boston.
2018 remix from the master reels by Sam McClellan
Mastered by Brandon Hocura
supported by 8 fans who also own “Music of the Five Elements”
a music garden; a garden that i can take anywhere, place it on my ears and enjoy its calming ambience. for nature-deprived folks (like me), it's awesome. wolftetsudo
supported by 8 fans who also own “Music of the Five Elements”
Magic in its purest form. I love Floating Points, I love Pharoah Sanders, I love The London Symphony Orchestra. It's a match made in heaven, and the result is absolutely gorgeous. I have loved this record since its release, and realized I don't own it for some reason. So its time to change that. 9.5/10 honestly could become a 10/10 on an indepth vinyl relisten. angrypizza98
supported by 7 fans who also own “Music of the Five Elements”
All the fun throwing-it-against-the-wall-seeing-what-sticks experiments. Dong Il Jang tries 15 ideas and 3 of them work, Shibucho (ultimate brain tickler) tries 15 ideas and 12 work, and Shing Kee just works forever into the infinite annals of your memory Paul Klee