dadala - whirled world

Dadala

Whirled World
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Whirled World is going to be the third Dadala album we have reviewed since June of last year. The guys never stop creating music and thank god because it is some of the most original material I have heard. I hate to mention this again but the way these guys compose is almost as interesting as the music itself. I’ll quote myself from my last review and say, “basically they record, manipulate, sample whatever to their heart desires and then send it to RDunlap (founder of the band) to arrange, combine, remix, edit, layer and otherwise manipulate.” Enough with how they do it, let’s get down to the music. 

Whirled World contains a lot of wind instruments. There are flutes, saxophones, trumpets or clarinets on every track and they form the foundation for a lot of these songs. It creates an organic experience that fans of experimental free jazz will fall in love with.

The album opens with one of the most vertigo-inducing songs called “Something In the Wind.” The wailing trumpet and scattered piano play pivotal roles in this song. They are often bombarded by chaotic percussive elements that don't give a hoot about what is going on musically. The song could be a representation of what your mind feels like at 4 o'clock in the morning after have far more than one too many drinks and not being able to find your keys. “Dotting The Connection” sounds a bit like its name. The drums are more structured and resemble a beat on this concoction. If it weren't for the beat the semblance of a coherent piece of work may be lost. Luckily, it holds enough together that the song grabs your attention and doesn't let go till it ends. I loved the sax on this song. 

“All I Needed To See” may be a field recording of a sushi kitchen that was hijacked by psychedelic entities while “Whirled” has a soft cloud-like quality that sounds chaotic yet relaxing at the same time.

The clarinet carried the song on “Dust Garden” as falling shards of piano surround you. I couldn't help but imagine “Travels of the Separated Twins” playing in Bossa Nova clubs and completely confusing the participating audience on how to dance properly and tripping over their shoes as the complex rhythms came at them. The albums end with “Smell the Coffee,” which put the string work front and center. There is a steady ominous pad throughout the song that makes the warm sounding guitar slightly evil.

I love this band. It is not something that I start my morning with every day but in small doses it is perfect. Get a nice pair of headphones, sit back, have a smoke and enjoy. 

official website