The Man from Atlantis is a Melbourne, Australia-based musician who draws from folk, country, blues, punk, American primitive guitar, Indian classical, psych, and free jazz to navigate the boundless sonic landscape. It’s quite the melting pot.
Previously, he was part of the ’90s art prog noise project Ray of Creation and the krautrock duo Imperial Leatherman, where he crafted music that he says was “unpopular.” Still, I’m guessing it was also pretty great and the type of fringe, underground stuff I would’ve enjoyed.
During the pandemic, he conceived Spirits Align, an experimental raga project born from a challenging chapter in his life. This time of reflection led him to connect with Indian slide master Manish Pingle, who became his mentor.
Through this mentorship, he infused his compositions with the essence of Hindustani music, blending it with his signature psychedelic flair.
Spirits Align consists of four tracks, all on the longer side, starting with “Bhaicajya guru vaikrya prabh rja (May you be well).” The influence of Indian classical music is palpable, as the song begins with slow, evolving sounds reminiscent of the meditative improvisations heard in a morning raga. The swirling patterns and rich sounds feel constantly in motion, simultaneously grounded in American primitive folk tradition and drifting into the expansive modal landscapes of India.
“Psychic Sunrise” evokes a sense of ancient conversation, merging disparate influences but never feeling forced. The meandering guitars bring a stark, minimalist sound that blurs the lines between East and West.
“Raag Bhairav (Freedom Chant No 7)” follows along the same lines, with a slide guitar drenched in a bluesy sorrow, sitting comfortably alongside a Hindustani drone. As it should, the music pulls the listener into its trance, floating through raga time cycles while still deeply rooted in Western folk tradition.
The record closes with “Which Way’s East?” The title is amusing because I assume The Man From Atlantis knows the direction, given his tutelage under the Indian slide master Manish Pingle. However, given that The Man From Atlantis is in Australia, is he looking westward in that case?
In any case, the reverberations of Hindustani music linger in the air, perhaps the strongest on the closing track. The guitar’s delicate phrasing mirrors the microtonal inflections found in Indian classical music. The gentle, contemplative mood of the instrumental track makes it a fitting conclusion – a reflective meditation after a long journey traversing such a diverse musical landscape.
The lovely Eastern percussion adds to the cosmic flair and various electronic effects that give the music a more modern feel.
On Spirits Align, The Man From Atlantis creates a record that merges the ancient and the modern with fluidity and grace. It’s an album for open-minded listeners and those willing to drift beyond the familiar into the transcendent.
Fans of acid folk, primitive guitar, and those who appreciate the depth of Indian classical music will find much to love on Spirits Align. This record invites us to experience folk music not as a static tradition but as a living, breathing entity, constantly evolving and expanding its borders.
Check out Spirits Align by The Man From Atlantis on Bandcamp here.
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