De Man Ia

by Scott YanowThe music that acoustic guitarist Alex De Grassi, electric bassist Michael Manring and tabla player Christopher Garcia perform is often beyond categorization or even simple description. Like Oregon, they are open to a wide variety of idioms, making every sound count and utilizing space quite effectively. The blend between their instruments makes it sound as if they are of one mind, yet their melodic world/folk music is open to spontaneity. In addition to eight group originals (four by Garcia), they perform "The Water Is Wide" and a surprising version of the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." De Man Ia (given its name by taking two or three letters from each of the musicians' last names) is a set of intriguing music that grows in interest with each listen. There is much to discover.