Tri Continental
Drifting
“Never change a winning team“ – this truism from the world of sports could well be applied to the fourth release by Canada’s blues/roots/world trio Tri-Continental. Just like the album’s predecessor “Let’s Play”, 'Drifting' was recorded in Germany and for their new recording project the trio again invited Indian percussion master Ramesh Shotham to participate. Following his stints with artists and ensembles as diverse as Karnataka College of Percussion, Dissidenten, Embryo, Carla Bley and Rabi Abou-Khalil, Ramesh Shotham now seems to be a regular guest of Lester Quitzau, Bill Bourne and Madagasgar Slim. Drifting is a classic term from the world of blues lyrics. It should not be taken as an indication for indecision, however. Quite the opposite is true, in fact. Tri-Continental came up with a special plan for recording their fourth album. They invited a small audience of friends and fans to the Alien Style Studio in Bremen, Germany - and proceeded to capture nine new songs on tape. All performed on one single evening and combining the directness and spontaneity of a live performance with the technical advantages of a professional studio environment. The concept of democracy is still very much at the heart of the band’s philosophy on 'Drifting'. Two new songs by Bourne and Quitzau each, one new original song by Slim and a bunch of covers that stand as a testament to the band’s great love for the tradition and their respective influences. An excellent example of Tri-Continental’s capacity of blending their various styles and techniques into a new whole that sounds organic and relaxed.
