“Multi-track recordings have been an essential means of expression for me since 1989. Within pieces that are unique in sound, multi-cultural context, and instrumental combination, I’ve been able to showcase and synthesize those musical elements that are most important to me: independence of line, textural complexity, and equality of instrumentation and mix, The process of multi-track creation has been an ongoing musical exploration and experiment, the results of which have consistently surprised and delighted me. I hope you enjoy listening.”Henry Kuntz (March 2010)
Original Recordings & Mix by Henry Kuntz. Digital Master by Michael Zelner. Photos by Henry Kuntz. Label by Paul Kuntz. Humming Bird CDR 3 – C & P Humming Bird Records 2010 – All Rights Reserved
IINFIINIITY
Trans-Temporal Trans-Spatial Multi-track Creations
1. Critical Density (19:58) Soprano recorder, Balinese & Thai wood xylophones, drums & percussion recorded July 15, 1995; tenor saxophone recorded February 8, 2007. (First released on Speed of Culture Light Cassette Box, Dreamtime Tapes, 2007.)
2. Double 8 Bird (3:30) Hand drum, fetish gongs (Togo), balafon (Mali) recorded September 23, 2009; rhaita (Morocco) recorded August 26, 2001.
3. Grandfather Grasshopper (4:19) Two large bamboo xylophones (Bali), balafon (Mali) recorded September 23, 2009; soprano recorder & Nepalese bamboo flute (played together) recorded August 26,2001.
4. Grandmother Spider (3:23) Wood xylophone (Bali), slit drum (Guatemala), Thai wood xylophone recorded September 23, 2009; Hollowed-out log violin (Mexico) recorded August 26, 2001.
5. Islands to Highlands…the New Polyphonic Orchestra (4:59) Nepalese & Balinese bamboo flutes (played together), two Guatemalan bamboo flutes (played together), Bolivian bass flute recorded October 10, 2009; rhaita (Morocco) recorded August 26, 2001.
6. IINFIINIITY (13:18) Center tenor saxophone, left & right Tibetan bowls recorded August 26, 2001; Left and right tenor saxophones recorded September 23, 2009.
HENRY KUNTZ – IINFIINIITY (CDR by Humming Bird)
This new album by mister Kuntz is subtitled “Trans-Temporal Trans-Spatial Multi-track Creations”. It clearly points at what is happening here. For Kuntz multi tracking is not some necessary evil. On the contrary, for him it is an essential way of composing music. In all compositions on “Iinfiiniity” Kuntz uses old recordings from his archive, and combines them with new presently added playing. There is a time gap of about eight in most pieces. And maybe recordings were done at different places as well as the subtitle suggests. This procedure is like a dialogue with oneself. Kuntz the improvisor in 2001 or 1995 is not Kuntz the improvisor in 2009. Another combination that is relevant for Kuntz is shown by his use of asian and african wind and percussion instruments on the one hand, and western ones on the other. But it is not only the use of exotic instruments that give his improvisation an exotic flavor. It is also because of the way Kuntz structures his improvisations that his music has similarities with ethnic and tribal music. Again an inspiring and original work from this veteran improvisor. (DM) http://www.vitalweekly.net/741.html
Buy Henry Kuntz – IINFIINIITY – Humming Bird CDR 3 (CD or MP3) here…
HENRY KUNTZ
MULTI-TRACK DISCOGRAPHY
1989 – WHIRLS AWAY (HBT 007 Cassette)
1. Whirls Away (23:10)
2. Spirit Whirls (21:02)
3. New Peace (22:33)
4. Shadow Peace (22:57)
Instruments include Balinese gamelan and gamelan selunding, Balinese wood and bamboo xylophones, African balafon (Mali) and “fetish” gongs (Togo), Mexican Indian violin, Chinese musette, Bolivian bass flute, Thai mouth organ, voice.
1990 – HOME (AT) THE RANGE (HBT 008 Cassette, Side B)
1. Sea Smoke (Fire) (14:19)
2. Nebulous Night, Mythic Gardens (13:46)
Instruments include Thai and Balinese wood xylophones, Balinese gamelans, African balafon (Mali), Chinese musette.
1991 – TOTAL MUSIC 1 (HBT 009 Cassette)
1. Jangle of Shadows, Jungle of Hearts: A Leaping Flame’s Embrace (14:45) 2. Untouched Sound, Unfound Black Green Nights, Revel of Unknown Life’s Delights (14:43) 3. Swimming Through Burnt Red Coral in Deep Turquoise Waters (Naked), Schools of Sparkling Goldfish, Dash of Angel Fish (17:25) 4. Sands Shift, Continents Drift, Tides Ebb and Flow, Hot Winds Blow; Night Falls and I Am Alone in the Forest. (Morning Brings Snow.) (12:05)
TOTAL MUSIC 2 (HBT 010 Cassette)
1. Sacred Burial Ground, Wherein Lie the Bones of the Most Wise (14:30) 2. Iridescent Dawn Follows Nightlong Singing and Dancing (Sun and Moon in the Same Sky (15:01) 3. Earth Mother Cries and Sends Love to Her Children. All Creation Hears Her… For A Moment (10:52) 4. Elephant Herds, Flights of Wild Birds (18:26)
Instruments include Balinese and Javanese gamelans, Balinese wood and bamboo xylophones, African balafon (Mali), Balinese and Bolivian bamboo flutes, Chinese musette, tenor saxophone, Mexican Indian violins, thumb pianos.
1992 – ON THE PATH OF DARKNESS IS THE WAY OF LIGHT (HBT 011Cassette, Side B)
1. A Butterfly Awakens, Fulfilled Wonder Filled With Wonder Spreading Its Delicately Jeweled Wings (14:15))
2. (Silver Heavens) The Lands Where Snakes Are Honored (14:31)
Instruments include Balinese and Javanese gamelans, Mexican Indian violin, Nepalese bamboo flute, Balinese bamboo xylophone, Thai wood xylophone.
THE FREEWAY IMPROV COMPILATION TAPE
1. and somewhere SOUND OF LIGHT we require PASSING what silence requires (4:32)
Instruments include Balinese and Javanese gamelans, Balinese wood xylophone.
1993 – PLACELESS TIMELESS 1 (HBT 012 Cassette)
1. Earthly Pleasures, Songs from the Forest (21:00)
2. Demons and Deities + DIVINE HEROES (20:27)
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PLACELESS TIMELESS 2 (HBT 013 Cassette)
1. Dew Silk Flowers (14:39)
2. Nighttime Spirits Come (Jaguar, Starfish, Python, and Eagle): Growth of Water Lilies (7:50) (also on Speed of Culture Light cassette box)
3. Time Was When JAZZ Began… (20:14)
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PLACELESS TIMELESS 3 (HBT 014 Cassette)
1. The Five Directions (22:10)
2. Reaping the Harvest, Replanting the Seed (22:26)
Instruments include Balinese and Javanese gamelans and wood and bamboo xylophones, Thai and African wood xylophones, Tibetan bowls and bell, Chinese musette, tenor saxophone, Indian snake charmer’s flute, Mexican Indian violin, assorted drums and percussion.
1994 – THE MAGIC OF MYSTERY (HBT 016 Cassette / foxglove cdr 087)
1. The Magic Of Mystery (13:27)
2. Giants And Genies (14:05)
3. The Memory Of Meeting In Ancestral Dreams (15:21)
4. Knowing Without Knowing Where The Wind Blows (15:14)
Instruments include tenor saxophone; Chinese musette; Thai, Nepalese and Bolivian bamboo flutes; Thai, Balinese, and African wood xylophones; Balinese and Javanese gamelans; Tibetan bowls; assorted drums, gongs, and percussion.
1995 – SPEED OF CULTURE LIGHT (2007 dreamtime tapes cassette box)
1. Fancy Glance (12:37)
2. She Emerged From the Confluence of Two Rivers (9:28)
3. 6 Track Angels (20:06)
4. Critical Density (19:58) (1995 & 2007) (also on IINFIINIITY)
Instruments include tenor saxophone, soprano recorder, Balinese and Javanese gamelans, Chinese musette, Balinese wood and bamboo xylophones, Balinese bamboo flute, various drums and percussion.
2006 – WAYANG SAXOPHONY SHADOW SAXOPHONE (HB CD 6)
Tenor of the Times (Four Tenors)
(1) Storm of Honey (11:38)
(2) Silver Serpent of Justice (8:33)
Instruments include four tenor saxophones.
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2005-2008 – WHIRLING SUN VISIONS (HB CDR 1)
1. Celestial Forest (9:06) (also on Speed of Culture Light cassette box) 2. Solar Sonic 1(4:43) 3. Solar Sonic 2(4:07) 4. Solar Sonic 3(4:12) 5. Ele-Fantasia (3:58) 6. DreamSong 1(9:10) 7. DreamSong 2(6:40) 8. Gods Within (6:01) (also on Speed of Culture Light cassette box) 9. Whirling Sun Visions (4:58)
Instruments include tenor saxophone, Balinese and Javanese gamelans, Balinese bamboo xylophones, Balinese and Thai wood xylophones, African balafon (Mali), Guatamalan chirimia, Mexican Indian violin, voice.