Money Mark
Change Is Coming

THE REVIEW

I pick up the CD among hundreds of others at a stall.
And I recall the aura of legend about his unbridled passion for Hammond and vintage keyboards, his meticulous repair work that allowed them to come back to life, immersed in a new sonic substance, as in the electrifying debut on Mo ‘Wax in ‘95, that "Mark’s Keyboard Repair", assembled with 28 very short fragments, with which the nippohawaiianamerican hybrid (Mark Ramos Nishita his name) introduced himself to the world.
Or the partnership that enabled the Beastie Boys to release an album as surprising as it was underrated like “Paul’s Boutique”. And I also remember reading his name associated with Beck and Cornelius. And who knows who else.
I had lost track of him, and here he is, with this 2001 album, crafting an origami of banknotes to watch it crumple up, burning, on the cover.

Ok, let's listen
Keyboards galore, of course.
And brass, percussion.
Bass and guitars, sometimes distorted.
Funk, yes. Manipulated and spiced.
But also Latin settings, danceable grooves, jazzy atmospheres, and New York rain.
I don't even notice, except at the end of the first spin on his merry-go-round, the absence of voices: they are not missed, it flows delightfully, fluid and varied, carefully arranged in the balance between electronic sound and “real” instruments.
Set aside, except for a couple of episodes, the more “experimental” vein of the Mo’ Wax brand, Money Mark had decided to enjoy himself and entertain: no pretension except to provide just under 40 minutes driven by a refined urge, a wave-like movement for simple, pleasant, and varied entertainment.

I'll revisit the stall.
There’s always someone getting rid of things they don't appreciate.
And which instead sound perfect, sometimes, when all you want is a bit of class and sounds that sync with the desire for a groove capable also of accompanying the relaxed sway of your thoughts. And the ice in your glass, while the absolute light of day fades into the uncertain glow of the evening.  

A little lovely change is coming.
And I feel fine.