Don Li's Tonus-Music and the origins Zen Funk

[Udi Koomran]

I recently discovered Don Li's music and thought I'd share this with fellow PE members
Don Li is a Swiss composer, musician (clarinet, saxophone) and music producer of reductive music.
His "Tonus-Music" concept combines a composing method that relies on reductive discipline and an almost graphic architecture which incorporates components of Indian classical music, jazz, minimal electronics, or funk. He is interested in metric, interlocking and balancing elements of rhythmic structures in combination with musical asceticism. He has been serially numbering his compositions (parts), which often consist of a single formula, ever since; he compares them with Japanese Haikus and calls them musical sculptures

[Udi Koomran]

[Mascodagama]

That's fascinating, thanks for posting Udi. Zen Funk seems to be a very Swiss phenomenon - I was aware of Nik Bartsch, Sonar and the wonderful Plaistow (on some of their material), but very glad to add Don Li and Tonus Music to that list.

[Udi Koomran]

That's fascinating, thanks for posting Udi. Zen Funk seems to be a very Swiss phenomenon - I was aware of Nik Bartsch, Sonar and the wonderful Plaistow (on some of their material), but very glad to add Don Li and Tonus Music to that list.

Never heard of Plaistow
I find Don Li's music truly fascinating-unlike Nik Bartch's Ronin (which I love for more then a decade ) his music is much more diverse and open
After getting acquainted with Don Li's body of work Ronin seems formulaic limited and "predictable "
And if you look "further" into the entire Tonus-Music roster and catalog you realize he has created a musical language/aesthetic that can be interpreted into to many forms
quite exciting discovering this body of work

[Mascodagama]

Never heard of Plaistow
I find Don Li's music truly fascinating-unlike Nik Bartch's Ronin (which I love for more then a decade ) his music is much more diverse and open
After getting acquainted with Don Li's body of work Ronin seems formulaic limited and "predictable "
And if you look "further" into the entire Tonus-Music roster and catalog you realize he has created a musical language/aesthetic that can be interpreted into to many forms
quite exciting discovering this body of work

Let me provide some Plaistow then:





They recently split, but were a trio of Johann Bourquenez (piano), Vincent Ruiz (double bass) and Cyril Bondi (drums). They put four albums out and I'd recommend all of them to people who dig Bartsch, The Necks, etc. There's an influence of electronic dance music also - I believe the band's name comes from a Squarepusher track - though everything they did was just with their acoustic instruments.

I'm certainly looking forward to spending some happy hours exploring Don Li's world.

[arturs]

About 10 years ago when I was going through my "Nik Bartsch is blowing my mind" phase, I googled around to see who else was doing music like this. The name Don Li popped up a lot so I ordered a CD from his site. It never clicked but I need to dust it off and give him another chance.

I agree that Bartsch, as path-breaking as he is/was, has gotten a little old over time.

EDIT: How exactly did Li make that little paper thing?

[Udi Koomran]

About 10 years ago when I was going through my "Nik Bartsch is blowing my mind" phase, I googled around to see who else was doing music like this. The name Don Li popped up a lot so I ordered a CD from his site. It never clicked but I need to dust it off and give him another chance.

I agree that Bartsch, as path-breaking as he is/was, has gotten a little old over time.

EDIT: How exactly did Li make that little paper thing?

Don Li's Gen its from 1999 - its like "In The Court" of Zen Funk the blueprint ...
Everything is there (including Nik and Bjoren ) a clear and refined concept
It took Nik another 3 years to release his debut
But to fully realize the weight of Don Li's body of work we need to research the entire Tonus-Music Records catalog there we can see the breadth and width of his art
btw there and many resemblances / similarities between Don and Nik
Numbering their compositions
owning a space / club were they preform their music (in Don's case its also includes films dance video etc.)
Both have their own label
both are influenced by Japanese philosophy Zen-Meditation
Their beards LOL
The sound aesthetic
there is more

[Mascodagama]

Don Li's Gen its from 1999 - its like "In The Court" of Zen Funk the blueprint ...
Everything is there (including Nik and Bjoren ) a clear and refined concept
It took Nik another 3 years to release his debut
But to fully realize the weight of Don Li's body of work we need to research the entire Tonus-Music Records catalog there we can see the breadth and width of his art
btw there and many resemblances / similarities between Don and Nik
Numbering their compositions
owning a space / club were they preform their music (in Don's case its also includes films dance video etc.)
Both have their own label
both are influenced by Japanese philosophy Zen-Meditation
Their beards LOL
The sound aesthetic
there is more

Sounds like you have explored the Tonus Music catalogue quite a bit aleady. Any particular tips on albums to check out?

[Trane]

possible food for my brains once I'll have more time to investigate (quite busy with new acquisitions right now)

Thanks for the Share, Udi.

[Udi Koomran]

Sounds like you have explored the Tonus Music catalogue quite a bit aleady. Any particular tips on albums to check out?

Not really just scratching the surface of Don Li
So far was blown away by :
Don Li - Gen
Don Li - Out Of Body Experience Part 64
Don Li / A Portrait of Edith Piaf

I did listen to Mik Keusen's Blau interesting
and Marcel Zaes - The last place (left)

there is a lot yet to discover here

[Udi Koomran]

https://mikkeusensblau.bandcamp.com/

[Mascodagama]

^ ^^ Thanks Udi, I'll get cracking with those.

[NogbadTheBad]

Thanks for posting, I will explore, that Plaistow is excellent, I've had it a while and return regularly.

[Udi Koomran]

I listened to this today
superb

[Udi Koomran]

Chalkpie , Scrotum Scissor you guys need to check this out

[Udi Koomran]

I ordered most of his stuff from his site and cd arrive swiftly and safely
been obsessing over this man's work for a few months now
the more I listen the more I am fascinated
This guy could have easily been one of the new ECM stars of the new millennium
listening to his earlier works one realizes He had all the necessary ingredients but luckily chose to dedicate himself to walk a path that is his very own
Can't Recommended this enough