Here's a pretty cool review of Cumulo from Kai Horsthemke of South African Bass Player Collective.
Thanks to Kai and Martin Simpson for the review.
"Darren Michaels – Cumulo
Sporting the bassist’s own delightful artwork – loads of cloudy fluff, in keeping with the album’s
title –, this CD’s wallet is made of recycled paper and printed with vegetable based inks. Well done, Darren! The content,
too, is testimony to thoughtful sophistication. The first album to feature not only his inspired bass work but also his voice,
the ‘Cumulo’ contains 14 tracks – some solo bass (5 pieces), some bass ‘n voice (4 tracks), others what sounds like ensemble
work (but with Michaels and Chris Moore, or Julian Scott Bryan, responsible for the backing instrumental loops). The second
track is probably my least favourite here, a rather murky piece that has a kicking bass line, but little else to capture the
imagination. The rest of the tracks assembled here, however, are truly enjoyable – the bass artistry never anything less than
captivating, richly chordal and laced with cascades of harmonics. Michaels goes for a sound that is almost without noticeable
mids. The high end is crisp and in your face, while the low end is punchy and present. His voice, too, grows on you – and
if you like bass-driven folk sounds à la Michael Hedges, this set of recordings will be right up your coastal highway."
Kai Horsthemke
February 2010
