NATURAL INFORMATION SOCIETY & BITCHIN BAJAS - Totality

Years past the space time of Automag-
inary, Bitchin Bajas and Natural Infor-
mation Society have reported back at

last from beyond. If the new title doesn't
clue you, Totality brings good news.

Since their first collaboration, the path-
ways that lead from Natural Information

Society's ecstatic all-world jazz to Bitchin
Bajas' microtonal soundscapes have
grown ever finer in their articulation.
Across the spectrum, the septet balance a
deeply searching mood with wonderfully
in-pocket production feel. This makes for
collective aural transport of the highest
order to all those listening in.

In the time since their 2015 first con-
vergence, the Natural Information Soci-
ety have released four albums (one in

collaboration with Evan Parker, one with
Ari Brown) and Bitchin Bajas five (one
a soundtrack, one with Bonnie 'Prince'
Billy, one featuring the songs of Sun Ra).
Given the multivarious paths both groups
have traveled, it makes sense that their
second convergence seems to emanate
from centuries, eons beyond or below-some undefinable elsewhere-from
their first. Totality is that.
These days, Natural Information Society is populated differently. From the
sextet NIS that co-created Automaginary, Joshua Abrams, Lisa Alvarado
and Mikel Patrick Avery remain. In the stead of the departed former players
is Jason Stein on bass clarinet. This might account for some mere impression
of aspects of time, space and evolution to be found here-but then again,
Bitchin Bajas flow on in their long-standing trio configuration (Cooper Crain,
Dan Quinlivan, Rob Frye), so the "people in the room" theory of how Totality
ever got this way will only take us so far.
Recorded in a single day with Greg Norman at Chicago's Electrical Audio,
then slowly considered into the finished record we hear here, Totality is a
sweet-tempered second child. It experiences time in ways the first kid didn't.
If you're in it for slow-shifting trance formations, it's gonna be cool. There's
lots here for you, lots of simmering time and synth atmospheres dappled with
radiant woodwinds-but there's some head-snapping hypno-rhythms that
stand apart from the groove energies of the first one. It's just natural facts:
two different days in time separated by years, with the experience of several
live encounters between the two groups in between. Beyond that, only the
music can say anything else. That said, here are a few thoughts from this
listener's log...
The low-key revolutionary thump of "Nothing Does Not Show" and "Clock
no Clock" notwithstanding, Totality charts impressive new launch angles
from NIS & BB's improvisatory heart, with their careful listening and response
time continually redefining the space in a relaxed manner that rewards deep
zoners. Additionally, their blended corps assimilate marvelously on Abrams'
composition, "Always 9 Seconds Away." Here, and with the aforementioned
groovers, the collective resonates beyond familiar kraut/spiritual/minimal
power lines, bringing new time conceptions to bear in the always-expansive
space of this album event.
It's about time we got back to the singularly-divined space of Natural
Information Society & Bitchin Bajas with Totality.

Vinyl release of Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas - Totality. Released through DRAG CITY and available on LP.