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The Cram and Stuff Method
Jugalbandi

Greg Segal (guitar and gadgets), Hyam R. Sosnow (drums)

Three CDs worth of rock type music from this duo. Most pieces have a stated theme (or at least chord sequence), followed by often lengthy extrapolations, all hung on a beat. The playing is imaginative and they are obviously listening closely to each other, as the interaction is constant. I think though, that this kind of music is better described as Jamming, as most of these pieces is structured like a song, and they are even referred to as such in the voluminous liner notes. There isn't much use of extended technique, by either of these fellows, and very little tendency to step outside of their respective instruments traditional roles. Guitar for chord structure/melody, drums for rhythm. That said, within the confines of this area, they offer many moods and conjure memories of many bands past. And they definitely have chops, so personally I kind of enjoyed listening to some of the super-fast drum fills and guitar-hero lead playing. I sometimes wished for a third instrument while listening to this set, a bass player maybe, but the more players added to a situation like this, the harder it is to maintain that "instant song" idea.

Though released as a set, each CD comes packaged individually, with the above mentioned, by-the-song notes, and the Jugalbandi Improvisation Level Classification System, whereby you can see how much improvisation was involved in each song.

Great Artiste 89 Records
P.O. Box 55843
Sherman Oaks CA 91413-0843
www.jugalbandi-music.com