Implosions

Implosions was Stephan Micus’s first album for producer Manfred Eicher, released on JAPO (a mail-order imprint of ECM) in 1977. While it’s tempting to call this “world music,” given its combination of sitar, guitar, shakuhachi, Thai flute, Japanese mouth organ, and the human voice, it would be more accurate to call this a world of music. One need not know that Micus is a consummate traveler, for the feeling of itineracy is undeniable throughout the program’s variegated evocations. Whether alone or multi-tracked in the studio, his spirit sings (and speaks) in a language that is calm, welcoming, and singular.