The Sounds of Life Tom Ellen NYCAC 501 The Sounds of Life Tom & Ellen Ellen Christi -vocals, percussion, flute Tom Bruno -drums, ashimba, bells, flute, piano Side A 1.Oriental Tale 2.Moroccan Mode 3.Piece to Jimmy Anderson Side A 1.Spaced 2.Dirge for James B. Christerson NYCAC 501 - NYCAC Records 1976 In the not-exactly crowded field of recorded vocal - percussion duets , this record doesnt so much stand out, as stand alone. I cant think of anything that this sounds similar to. Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln come quickly to mind, but theirs was a dramatic, declamatory public style. Quite different to this, which is largely personal, reflective, and intimate. Besides, Max and Abbey were quite recognisably "jazz" musicians, often drenched in the blues. Christi and Bruno almost totally avoid conventional jazz gestures here. Whilst ethnic themes are the setup for pieces on side 1, and 20th century classical song may be informing part of the partly franti...