Lenin Tempted By A Job in Advertising
Yes, possibly the most pretentious title of all time. Though one of the interesting tensions in Man Jumping was commercialism v. idealogy. It must be said that this Mahavishnu orchestra-ish piece isn’t exactly a commercial romp.
Weighing the Heart
Choreographed by Ian Spink
Designed by Antony McDonald
Played by Man Jumping
Weighing The Heart was unusual, in fact unique, in the output of Second Stride Dance Company. It was a dance piece, purely. No narrative, no dialogue. Inspired by The Egyptian Book of the Dead, it was about religion, in particular extreme religion, fanaticism, sainthood. I wrote the music in skeleton score and presented it to Man Jumping who fleshed it out, developed it and made it funkier.
This piece was the nearest to mainstream that Second Stride ever came. Audiences and critics loved it (not a given for the company). Ian Spink could have chosen to follow it up with another popular piece, but, being Ian, he didn’t. In fact his next piece was one of his most arcane, Dancing and Singing.
The Wedding
From the Man Jumping album World Service (EG)
Originally a part of Second Stride’s Weighing The Heart, this piece took on an independent life and a new name. I wanted to call it Trouble At Andrew and Fergie’s Wedding, but fortunately the rest of the band wouldn’t let me.
The Perils of Tourism
from the Man Jumping album World Service (EG)
Originally a part of Second Stride’s Weighing The Heart, this piece took on an independent life and a new name. Actually I think the kind of cultural tourism, or rather cultural appropriation, that this piece exhibits is perilous. But I’ve never been able to resist it. At least it’s always done with respect