Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra “World of Funk”
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra
“World of Funk”
Ubiquity Records
When picturing Shawn Lee’s studio space one envisions a collection of instruments from all around the globe. Sitting in various corners of the room, they are warm from use and smudged with fingerprints. Much like it would look if a zoologist decided to turn a living collection of the planet’s most exotic animals into a petting zoo. I imagine riding an ostrich is sort of like picking up a tambura for the first time.
Ubiquity Records
Shawn Lee, as a multi-instrumentalist, has made music that has appeared in film, television and even award winning video game soundtracks. Hollywood seems to be falling in love with the guy more and more. And what’s not to love? He writes, arranges, and produces energetic sounds that are real in emotion and true to his own vision. Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra includes a revolving array of guest players. On World of Funk, released by Ubiquity Records earlier this year, they hypnotize, swing, and seduce.
World of Funk showcases Lee’s sitar, ektar, kalimba, Steel drum, vibraphone, Xylophone, talking drum,Udu, and even a vintage type-writer. The prowess he commands over these instruments globe-trots from exotic funk to Indian lounge to tropical psychedelia to Arab pop and beyond. The instrumentalists he enlists to expand on his arrangements contribute seamlessly into World of Funk’s vision. The ever mysterious Clutchy Hopkins lends his talents (and perhaps cackling laughter) to “Bina”, the albums jangled hypno opener. Trumpet master Michael Leonhart rakes in the album’s jazz be it Afro or Latin, while Nomo frontman and mbira player Elliot Bergman creates an inspiring contribution on “Iceberg” that grows from the perfect tin-like buzz of the finger piano into a vibrating electrical mass.
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Vocally, the array of contributors meld well with Lee’s production. Dengue Fever’s Chlom Nimol provides hauntingly sultry vocals on“Ghost In The Rain”. Brazilian singer Curumin, as well as Cava, Chicano Batman’s own Bardo Martinez, and Arabic songstress Natacha Atlas lay down a fusion of music styles that Lee incorporates with world pop precision. Even Lee’s mother-in-law, Nanny Jee, sinks her teeth in the mic. Whether he’s sitting in the studio with Clutchy or working with recorded vocals from a time zone or two away, the ear Shawn Lee has for vintage sounds pulls the freshest takes out of his collaborations.
Ubiquity Records
The hypnotic trip across World of Funk gives us a filling sampler of what lies ahead if we can keep up with Shawn Lee. In fact treat yourself to his other 2011 release, Celestial Electric, Lee’s collab with singer/songwriter AM. And in the near future keep your eyes peeled for Ubiquity’s release of drum worship, Tabla Rock by Shawn Lee’s Incredible Tabla Band. – Nick Bernal
Pedigree Cuts Records
http://www.ubiquityrecords.com/
