ROLNICK: “Macedonian AirDrumming.” Neil Rolnick, with Gamelan...

ROLNICK: “Macedonian AirDrumming.” Neil Rolnick, with Gamelan Son of Lion. Bridge Records BCD 9030. The title track--powerful, focused permutations of Balkan sound sources as guided by Rolnick with AirDrum MIDI controllers--is the strongest piece on this short, four-piece collection of techno-doodling. Almost half the disc is given to a 19-minute Sanctus, a rough yet curiously energyless tape medley of various Sanctus movements sampled from recordings. “Balkanization” offers further desultory MIDI manipulation of sampled Balkan materials, while the smooth, gentle “ReRebong” turns to Javanese traditions, with the music of a small gamelan orchestra electronically processed.