Unduality

Unduality is a title that perfectly fits the music you hear on this project from keyboardist Greg Burk and hand percussionist Vicente LeBron. Their source material is far from similar, inspired by Bach's The First Invention and Afro-Caribbean music. LeBron (kit drummer from the Boston-based Either/Orchestra) and Burk (ex-E/O pianist living in Italy) perform a series of mainly solo pieces in alternating tracks, from classical piano to hot Latin rhythms, including variations on occasion. As the CD progresses, the creative process broadens, and Burk plays electric keyboards and even percussion instruments in tandem with LeBron. Mostly a conga player, LeBron layers different polyrhythms from ritual and village origins, including some strictly African instruments. While off putting at first, the tracks flow up and down cleanly once you are accustomed to what is in store. With a twinkle in his eye, Burk uses acoustic piano on the Bach themes faithfully, then mutates the melodies with extrapolations or outer-edge improvisations, eventually adding backward loops, funky electronica, or Moog samples. LeBron's contributions are, for the most part, in the Afro-Cuban vein -- upbeat and exciting, not startling, but full of life. A vocal chant by the duo ends this project, which must be heard from start to finish, though several components like "Bach in Action," "Guateke," the cutely titled "Bach in the USSR" and "Bach to Bach" stand out.