Try not to get confused, here: yes, Ekstasis was the name of
Nicky Skopelitis' first solo album on the Axiom label, and he was accompanied by a lineup similar to this one (which consists of the ubiquitous
Bill Laswell and the irrepressible
Jah Wobble on bass, drummer
Jaki Liebezeit and tabla players
Zakir Hussain and
Badal Roy). This time, though, it's the band that's called
Ekstasis, and although the music is very much in the same trancey, world-beatish, ambient mode as before, it's better realized and generally more interesting this time out. Skopelitis is mapping out more definite guitar melodies these days, which allows the band to flex and groove more creatively without fear of losing the thread-notice the subtly dubwise drum fades and wild tabla extemporizations on "Providence," all of which are possible because Skopelitis keeps his guitar part disciplined and tonal. "Nepenthe" starts out abstract and arrhythmic, but then lapses into an easy groove over which the guitar shreds quietly. Some will call this stuff downtown muzak. I say if it sounds good, it is good, and this sounds very good. ~ Rick Anderson