Pat Mastelotto and Tobias Ralph - ToPaRaMa

[GA Russell]

This looks like it might be interesting, particularly to those of us who liked the Canterbury groups.

Artwork by Denis Rodier

MASTER DRUMMERS

PAT MASTELOTTO & TOBIAS RALPH

PRESENT

ToPaRaMa

King Crimson, Weather Report and Post-Rock

Collide On Their Latest Release

AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE JUNE 17, 2014

AND THROUGH 7D MEDIA RECORDS.

DIGITAL PRE-SALES START JUNE 1.

PLEASE VISIT WWW.7DMEDIA.COM FOR DETAILED INFO.

Pat Mastelotto

Drums, Percussion, Sound Design

Tobias Ralph

Drums, Cowbell, Rhodes

Markus Reuter

U8 Touch Guitar

Roy Powell

Rhodes and Moog samples

Lorenzo Feliciati

Bass, Keys, Strings

Tony Levin

Upright bass

David Rothenberg

Clarinet

Angelica Sanchez

Piano

Bernhard Wöstheinrich

Soundscape

Bill Munyon &

Leashya Padma Munyon

Vocals & Samples

Robert Fisher

Spoken Words

"OM"- Sample from Olivier Messiaen Le Merle Noir

New York, May 29, 2014 - Toparama is a true meeting of the minds. Itʼs a one-of-a-kind release that captures the explosive energy of drummers Pat Mastelotto and Tobias Ralph. But Toparama isnʼt a typical chops-driven "drummer's album." Itʼs a disc of artfully-composed pieces, full of melodic elements and infectious grooves. Recorded by Mastelotto and mastered by Unsung Productions, the album combines influences as diverse as Weather Reportʼs funk-fueled jazz-rock, King Crimsonʼs polyrhythmic-prog stylings, Peter Gabriel's Passion and shape-shifting post-rock.

Pat Mastelotto is one of the worldʼs most celebrated drummers. He has been a member of every King Crimson lineup from 1994 to the present, as well as the offshoot band The Crimson ProjeKCt. In addition, heʼs one third of Stick Men, a trio with Tony Levin and Markus Reuter. Mastelotto has also collaborated with Terry Bozzio, Trey Gunn, Allan Holdsworth, Kimmo Pohjonen, Steven Wilson, XTC, Mr. Mister, David Sylvain, Sugercubes, Robyn Hitchcock, Jude Cole, Rembrandts, Cock Robin, Trail of the Dead, Chrysta Bell, and on various RareNoiseRecords projects.

Tobias Ralphʼs resume is dizzying in its diversity. His innovative drumming can be found on projects by Defunkt, Amy Denio, Everlast, Royston Langdon, Nena, Screaming Headless Torsos, and Tricky - to name a handful. Heʼs also a long-time member of the Adrian Belew Power Trio and The Crimson ProjeKCt.

After touring together as co-percussionists in The Crimson ProjeKCt, both musicians sensed major chemistry. They forged ahead with an egoless collaboration. Both musicians are also multi-instrumentalists who contribute vocals, keyboards, chords, drones, and a myriad of other sound design elements throughout. Additionally, Toparama features bassists Lorenzo Feliciati and Tony Levin, touch guitarist Markus Reuter, and keyboardist Roy Powell.

"Toparama is the culmination of 50-plus drum performances Iʼve done with Pat," said Ralph. "His time is absolutely metronomic and his groove is so deep, yet heʼs also capable of incredible polyrhythmic stuff. Somehow, it all feels as accessible as your favorite funk tune, but in 11/8. Our hope is that people hear the joy and life stories coming through these pieces."

"Tobias is one of the fastest drummers youʼll ever hear," reciprocated Mastelotto. "He makes Buddy Rich sound like a stuttering Netflix stream. Heʼs the Federal Reserve Bank of drum knowledge. But weʼve really made something that goes way beyond just drumming. This album is about communicating about the world through our instruments."

The disc offers compelling diversity. It includes a reimagined, visceral variation of the classic King Crimson drum duet "BʼBoom," revisited as "BaBaBoom" as well as the killer, ultra-addictive electro-rock of "New O." "Sing Sang Sung" finds the duo exploring a Drummers of Burundi-influenced African approach. And thereʼs the hilarious vocal-infused "Bad Ass Van, Man" that crosses King Crimsonʼs "Thela Hun Ginjeet" with Cheech and Chong.

Dig in. Immerse yourself in Toparama. Your troubles will be distant memories.

TRACKS

1. Willie's In The Backyard

2. NY5

3. Mama Will Bark

4. Little People

5. Sing Sang Sung

6. Floor Over Heaven

7. Up Heavy

8. New O

9. MooBaba

10. BaBaBoom

11. Rendezvous With Rama

12. OM

13. Bad Ass Van Man

PAT MASTELOTTO & TOBIAS RALPH

ON TOUR TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT BANDS

(Tour Schedule Below Subject To Change)

THE CRIMSON PROJEKCT

New Zealand & Australia

June 24

Auckland (NZ)

The Studio

June 26

Melbourne (AU)

The Hi-Fi

June 27

Sydney (AU)

The Hi-Fi

June 28

Brisbane (AU)

The Hi-Fi

June 30

Adelaide (AU)

July 2

Fremantle (AU)

More shows t.b.a. (for tickets and V.I.P. packages for above shows go HERE.)

THE CRIMSON PROJEKCT

Back in Europe

July 4

Amsterdam (NL)

Tollhuilstuin

July 5

Herleen (NL)

Limburg Zaal

July 6

Nürnberg (DE)

Hirsch

July 7

Udine (IT)

Udin & Jazz

July 10

Kiev (UA)

July 12

Garana (RO)

Garana Jazz Festival

July 14

Torino (IT)

Gru Village

July 15

Porto Torres (Sardegna, IT)

July 16

Cagliari (Sardegna, IT)

Arena Sant'Elia

July 18

Buchlovice (CZ)

Zamecky Amfiteatr

July 19

Bad Doberan (DE)

Zappanale Festival

July 21

Oldenburg (DE)

Kulturtage Festival

July 31, Aug. 1

Aschaffenburg (DE)

Burg Herzberg Festival

Aug. 5

L'Aquila (IT)

Blues Sotto le Stelle

In Between TCP Shows:

STICK MEN

July 20

Bad Doberan (DE)

Zappanale Festival

July 30

Bratislava (SK)

Muzeum Obchoduba Open Air

Aug. 3

Bodo (NO)

Nordland Festival

more to come...

ADRIAN BELEW & PAT MASTELOTTO

THREE OF A PERFECT PAIR MUSIC CAMP

Aug. 11 - 15

Big Indian, NY

Full Moon Resort

Aug. 16

Woodstock, NY

Bearsville Theater

KING CRIMSON

Tour In Fall 2014. Cities t.b.a.