Tag Archives: dean johnston

Trancing and Dancing with Club d’Elf

Club d’Elf (some core members): Mister Rourke, Dean Johnston, Mike Rivard,
Paul Schultheis, Brahim Fribgane. Photo by Mark Wilson.

The bio of bassist/composer Mike Rivard, the head elf of the band Club d’Elf, claims that he is “perhaps the only musician to have performed with big band legend Cab Calloway, Frank Zappa discovery Wildman Fisher, Gnawa master Hassan Hakmoun and two members of the Velvet Underground (though sadly, not all at the same time)” [my emphasis]. With Club d’Elf, though, Rivard performs with musicians from a similarly wide range of backgrounds—from traditional Moroccan music to ’60s rock, jazz to country to Hindustani music—all at the same time, playing originals, Gnawa and Sufi classics, and covers of folks such as Zappa and Zawinul/Davis. The result is transformational music that can lighten your load.

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Club d’Elf’s Stunning Video Single Previews New Album

The Club d’Elf core (l2r): Mister Rourke, Dean Johnston, Mike Rivard, Paul Schultheis, Brahim Fribgane.
Photo by Mark Wilson.

Club d’Elf, an ever-changing musical collective led by head elf Mike Rivard, has released an inspired video single, “Dervish Dance,” to preview its forthcoming album, You Never Know (available April 1). The video features sand artist Kseniya Simonova, whose spellbinding creation captures the essence of the tune and your imagination.

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New Live Recordings from Love Unfold the Sun and Club d’Elf

The Santa Fe/Albuquerque-based quartet Love Unfold the Sun and the Boston-based band Club d’Elf share a number of characteristics. They both blend Middle Eastern/African and Western elements, and incorporate an exotic instrument. Texture plays an important role in the musical development of their material. Flow is prized over destination. Yet, even with these similarities, the two groups make music that is quite different.

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Live Album from Club d’Elf Layers Centuries and Cultures into Irresistible Grooves

Club d’Elf at Club Helsinki: John Medeski,  Brahim Fribgane, Dean Johnston, Mike Rivard, Duke Levine, Mister Rourke. Photo by Andrew Janjigian.

Club d’Elf at Club Helsinki: John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane, Dean Johnston, Mike Rivard, Duke Levine, Mister Rourke. Photo by Andrew Janjigian.

Club d’Elf, Live at Club Helsinki (Face Pelt Records)
A Review
Now I think I know how the cobra feels as it sways hypnotically over its coiled body, hood open, eyes fixed on the charmer. When I hit Play to start up Live at Club Helsinki (Face Pelt Records), the latest release from Club d’Elf, I dropped instantly into a similar condition, completely mesmerized by the groove-based sounds—and what sounds they are. Continue reading