Steve Lehman Demian As A Posthuman CD

Live Recording

Personnel: Steve Lehman (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, drum programming); Steve Lehman (programming, sequencer); Jahi Lake (electronics, turntables); Vijay Iyer (piano); Me'Shell Ndegéocello (electric bass); Eric McPherson, Tyshawn Sorey (drums).
Recording information: My Room Productions, New York, NY (03/27/2005-06/03/2005); Sesh Direct Studios, Brooklyn, NY (03/27/2005-06/03/2005); Systems Two Studio, Brooklen, NY (03/27/2005-06/03/2005).
On a dozen concise sound explorations, altoist Steve Lehman utilizes sequences and electronic effects to produce otherworldly music. Two of the numbers are solos, seven are duets with drummer Tyshawn Sorey, and three are quintet pieces. The music primarily sets brooding moods, sometimes with rhythms, sometimes not. Few of the pieces are long enough to overstay their welcome (most end abruptly), but the overall effect is still mostly disturbing and episodic. Some listeners will find these explorations to be stimulants for thought, while others will consider them a bit of a bore since they do not include much development beyond the sounds. ~ Scott Yanow

The Wire (p.61) - "Lehman is making his own spiritual and creative journey without succumbing to dogma or style. The posthuman element comes with the effects and sequencing that enriches these duets with drummer Tyshawn Sorey."
Down Beat (p.71) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[A] bubbling mash-up of man-machine sounds....The duo dance around each other like wary pythons, Lehman layering an ominous synth pad under Sorey's rippling rim-click figures..."
JazzTimes (p.95) - "Lehman plays a highly chromatic, Greg Osby/Steve Coleman brand of alto. His articulations are crisp, his phrasing precise and abrupt, his tone metallic."