For the past half-decade, Rounder has been redirecting its release schedule. The ongoing Alan Lomax series had been the label’s primary identity since it was founded over 30 years ago, but in recent years they’ve been trying their luck at the pop/alternative market with varying success.
The debut of Tangle Eye, led by longtime Rounder in-house producer Scott Billington, finds Rounder mixing its current marketplace inclinations with an exploration through the vast Lomax holdings. The dozen tracks on Alan Lomax’s Southern Journey Remixed feature nicely varied grooves using vocals or rhythms from Lomax field recordings made in the American south. The results, with a focus of funky beats, are sonically inviting, bringing to mind the albums by US3, an ensemble that sampled the core identity of each piece from Blue Note’s catalogue.
The word remix in the title is a bit of a misnomer, as the limited track space of Lomax’s field recordings allows no room to truly remix them. Rather, they’ve been folded into the broader sonic realm of contemporary multitrack recording. A range of musicians from New Orleans and elsewhere appear, including pianist Davell Crawford, Meters bassist George Porter Jr., trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, fiddler Dirk Powell, guitarist Corey Harris, and dobro player Rob Ickes.
It’s fun from beginning to end, but it remains to be seen how long the allure will last. Part dub, part Eno/Byrne My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts, the album eschews emotional depth for a celebration. And parties never last.