Artists:Conveniens

Conveniens was formed in 1984 with the release of Conveniens' debut LP self-titled "Conveniens". Consisting of John Maz on drums and percussion and David Sterling Smith on synth, piano and organ.

John Maz was once tagged as being bionic for inhumanly precise drumming. John's current approach to drums is more textural than rhythmic.

David Sterling Smith's major influences were, Keith Jarrett and Cecil Taylor. Dave's approach to music is more like painting or soundscaping.

Their motto:"Although impossible, try to do what hasn't been done before and keep it accessible". Keyword here, accessible. They never wanted to go to far off on the deep end for the sake of sounding different or excessive selfindulgence.

Re-Release of CLEAR album on CD

The CLEAR album by CONVENIENS was originally released in 1987. Pressed on clear virgin vinyl using the DMM process [Direct Metal Mastering], the package also included a clear jacket with silver imprint through-out. During the original promotional campaign, copies of CLEAR constantly disappeared from DJ booths, radio stations and press offices, inhibiting exposure. Clearly a most collectible release, also the third and last of COnVENIENS' vinyl LP trilogy. NOW/, the re-release of CLEAR on enhanced CD [add. crit. on disc] reveals CONVENIENS. As a radio station music director once put it, "In a word, this is hardcorenewagejazz." CONVENIENS is still John MAz [drums] and DAvid Sterling Smith [keyboards]. CLEAR brings forth the addition of session players: Tom JonusAitis [from noted Chicago punk band Bonemen of Barumba] - accordion, bass, vocals Ted Blood BuchAnAn [from the Buchanan Brothers Trio, and appearances on Chicago's WGN Bozo's Circus] - tenor sax The late GerrAld Hill [Saucer Plane] - flute Lori PAyne [Girl Friend] - cabassa, banshee vocal Also, recording engineer lAin Burgess and graphic artist J-MAx Kennedy are apex. Regretfully, a transparent CD could not be issued along with the clear packaging. However, a previously unreleased track [XI] was added. It's all about the music constituents. ABOUT THE CONVENIENS CLEAR MUSIC: MAzmAn - Features the drums [textural] with synth builds to a crescendo. Night CAution -An unlit goth road [only as far as your headlights see] tape loop, hypnotic cymbals, acoustic grand piano string plucking, special engineering to create voices [tension]. EfiltsitrA - Grand piano solo, relief from the tension. DA DA Ack - Hardcore pop art music, adds the accordion keys, with synth and drums [a tight tune]. Rowte 66 - It is not Route 66 [the title is even copyrighted], this is what we came up with [adds the sax and bass]. DeAth By Poetry - Hip hop Conveniens style adds accordion, vocals, deserves notice. BAll PArk Song - Snap krackle pop, you're at the ballgame vendors organ hotdog. Electroflux - Extended, persistent, drums, synth, add an electric razor, percussion, grunts, voices, screams in an electrified goth mode [there are some precious moments]. CAdium Red -A relief piece to the lighter side, flute with piano. Rolling - Trad. opening with strong 2/4 beat, drums, piano, synth, add the sax, they take it down then go into hyperdrive with a de-crescendo finish. Epilogue [bonus track not on original vinyl LP release] -A studio jam urged by lain Burgess after working on Rolling, done in one take [sax, piano, bass, drums]. CONVENIENS CLEAR (HARDCORENEWAGEJAZZ) is available at CD Baby, Apple iTunes and other better outlets, along with other CONVENIENS releases. When searching CONVENIENS via web: [none of these words]-non-forum.

Posted by Mickie at 11:57 AM

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