Los Angeles-based composer Michael Robinson will premiere his new album, Spirit Lady.

“Today’s new music recommendation: Spirit Lady, a new album by Michael Robinson of electrified raga performed by Vox organ, tamboura & percussion (& influenced by Lennie Tristano). Robinson says the 19-beat pattern is based on Tristano’s March 19 birthday.” “Some more info on this hypnotic (and unconventional) new album – an hour-long roller-coaster raga track – by Michael Robinson. He claims the final score was 500 pages.” – Ted Gioia, American jazz critic and music historian

From the Spirit Lady liner notes by Michael Robinson:

“In the midst of creation, I’m mostly absorbed by sensations and thoughts rather than meaning. Thus, I was stunned to recognize upon finishing composition and beginning orchestration that I seemed to be dealing with a different philosophy of form. Previously, what I’ve envisioned ideally contains a beginning that flows naturally within a long line towards the concluding moments. Now, it seemed as if the music was hastening to attempt Jim Morrison’s “break on through to the other side” concept, as if spiraling upwards rather than forward, not so much becoming as focusing on the present moment.”

“Such new musical terrain beckoned me to seek out a new instrumental sound, one I hadn’t used before. Amazingly, seemingly out of nowhere, to the rescue came a Vox organ embraced by myriad sixties bands, including The Doors, Santana, the Zombies, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. However, it may be that my particular coloristic usage is closest to the burning, smoldering aphorisms of Eric Burdon and the Animals.”