Perhaps not since Jean Luc-Ponte exploded onto the 70’s music scene with electric fusion violin, or maybe George Tortorelli (www.reverbnation.com/georgetortorelli) made Gainesville, Florida, home to new age music with his mid 80’s album Medicine Wind, has such a powerful and intricate musician burst upon us like Mitch Kopp (www.myspace.com/mitchkoppandthemagicpopulation). Without words, using only sound, you will go DRIVIN’ WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED as you explore Mitch’s CD of the same title.
Before I go any further, let me preface myself. I am a new age child. Having gone to massage school in Gainesville (1985) where George Tortorelli would play live while we practiced, having been the director of Miami’s Gay and Lesbian Community Center (1989-1990), and having gone to osteopathic medical school and done an osteopathic fellowship (1992-1997), I am always searching for the dawn of a new day. And no where does that dawn shine brighter than in music. In its purest form of sounds with no fixed meaning, intonation without words becomes a beacon for the soul searching for a reflection of itself. And Mitch opens that reflective space up wide on this CD.
DRIVIN’ WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED is a musical odyssey of metered time where the metronome stands still. It is the paradox where sound is both the medium and the message, but of a message never spoken, only heard. While it might be difficult to pick a favorite off such a collection, the title track (track five) and OCEAN SUN (track seven) are a perfect juxtaposition of a high energy day trip through a tree lined mountain pass, versus a sea side respite at sunset along Big Sur. The imagery and experiences, however, are endless as your ears and mind are opened wide while you are DRIVIN’ WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED.
Dr. Bob