Secret Chiefs 3 - Book M (2001)

An instrumental odyssey, Book M features full string sections, an assortment of western and Persian, Turkish and Arabic stringed and percussion instruments (some played by people who actually know how), 'microtonally' adjusted synthesizers, organs and guitars, innovative compositions, and off-the-map production techniques. The album is focused and deliberate; the out-of-control aspects seem perfectly natural. Moments of violent aggression are merged with the tenderness and subtlety of the band's otherworldly passions. It's a drama of dizzying complexity played out explicitly in the glowing artwork and textual rants of an impressive 16-page booklet (with now legendary cyphers that drop 7 levels down into the abyss).

Present is the unmistakable genius of violinist Eyvind Kang, percussionist William Winant (neither of whom need any introduction), and the cast from Mr. Bungle; drummer Danny Heifetz, bassist multi-instrumentalist Bar McKinnon and producer / composer / multi-instrumentalist Trey Spruance. The addition of the instrumental expertise of Shamou on darbuka, zarb, riq, and zils, and Fatima on santur, take the SC3 to new heights --- more than "ethnographic forgeries", these are compositions emanating from another universe entirely.