Brian Melvin, percussionist of American origin, has always been interested in combination of jazz with ethnic influences and anything else that is interesting. For the Geografix project he enlisted Mart Soo on guitar, Taavo Remmel on double bass and DJ P. Julm. Although the latter is known as a house music producer, here he is responsible for the more ambient electronic effects on one hand, and organic sounding samples on the other.
Geografix, however is a largely natural sounding modern ethno-jazz album wherein the sound effects and samples add color to the textures of acoustic instruments (including percussion). For proof of the possibilities of making interesting music with acoustic instruments, check out the drums and double bass interplay on "Gates to the Abstract". This easily outshines a lot of the more computer-based drum&bass productions.
In addition to his talented and multifaceted percussion skills, Brian Melvin is also a fine composer. His Indian-influenced compositions "Darsana" and "Elephant God" are the most memorable pieces here and they are potent enough to arouse interest in ethnic music from India itself. Occasionally the album reduces itself to background music. It's still the best kind of background music one could hope for. Recommended for traveling.
*This review was published in Estonian in a journal called Postimees. This is the English translation
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