Mandatory Reality

Double-walled LP mailer (bags unlimited box MLPB12snug) with x4 cardboard “filler pads”. All together, the packaging, heavyweight gatefold sleeve & x2LPs weigh nearly three pounds, meaning a high shipping cost for international orders.
Setting aside (for the moment) the electric instrumentation of “Simultonality” (2017) & “Magnetoception” (2015), Joshua Abrams conceived “Mandatory Reality” for an eight-piece acoustic manifestation of NIS, consisting of himself on Guimbri, Lisa Alvarado – harmonium & gongs, Mikel Avery – tam-tam & gongs, Ben Boye – autoharp & piano, Hamid Drake – tabla & tar, Ben Lamar Gay – cornet, Nick Mazzarella – alto saxophone, & Jason Stein – bass clarinet.
A 2 LP set, the album is comprised largely of two performances, both Joshua Abrams compositions, 24 & 40 minutes in length. While new to the band’s records, long duration pieces are familiar to those who’ve heard JA&NIS in concert in recent years, where elaboration on a single composition for an hour or more is not unusual.