Cafe Oto have released all three sets from December’s double shows with 75 Dollar Bill. They were formed in 2012 in New York City by percussionist Rick Brown and guitarist Che Chen. Played on a deeply resonant plywood crate, Brown’s earthy, elemental rhythms are both the foundation and foil for Chen’s ecstatic, modal guitar style. They released their third long-player I Was Real last year which was reviewed on Folk Radio.
75 Dollar Bill are the missing link between archetypal blues, experimental, and drone-based music. Influences from different cultures drift in and out, and in the end, you can only say this is truly “world” music in that it is both from everywhere and nowhere. 75 Dollar Bill have stitched their diverse influences together into a powerful, hypnotic sound that is as unique as it is mesmerizing. Phil Vanderyken, Folk Radio
Cafe Oto: “Settling into the Cafe from afternoon to late at night, this special trio formation of the band features long-time collaborator Andrew Lafkas on upright bass. Given the time their music stretches into half-hour reveries, warmed through with the chatter and clink of the audience. Refracted Mauritanian and Arabic modal music, New York minimalism and blown-out folk combine here to create a moving space for contemplation.”
The performances were recorded live at Cafe OTO by Shaun Crook on Thursday 19th December 2019. Mixed by 75 Dollar Bill and mastered by James Dunn.
Tracklisting:
1. Like Like Laundry – 30:25
2. WZN#3 – 19:43
3. 15 – 13:51
4. WZN#4 – 7:18
5. (intermission) – 3:35
6. intro/WZN#4 – 17:49
7. WZN#4 – 12:07
8. Water in the Lock – 5:30
9. Beni Said – 11:17
10. I Was Real – 41:27
11. WZN#3 (reprise) – 20:18.
Available as 320k MP3 / 24 bit FLAC via the Cafe Oto website:
https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/shop/75-dollar-bill-191219/