Mo Boma

The duo known as Mo Boma (named after a pygmy girl's lullaby), is comprised of Carsten Tiedemann, a native of Germany, and Skuli Sverrisson, of Iceland, both of whom attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. Tiedemann's studies in classical composition structures and ethnic music traditions feature prominently in Mo Boma's style, which uses electronic music to create a ethereal, multi-textured sound that builds around Sverrisson's electric bass core. Sverrisson's own experience as a jazz bassist and improvisational musician also makes a major impact on Mo Boma's sound. The mixture of organic and electronic instrumentation help Mo Boma acheive a depth and complextity of composition that is somewhat rare in ethno-ambient music. Their debut album, Jijimuge, was issued in 1992, but perhaps the best example of their unique sound is their 1996 album, Myths of the Near Future, Vol. 1, which was vaguely inspired by the works of J.G. Ballard. It weaves percussive sections around a calm, shimmering vortex, anchored always by Sverrisson's bass. Mo Boma issued two more volumes of the Myths of the Near Future series in the mid-'90s, each featuring similar sounds, but playing tribute to their own unique themes. ~ Stacia Proefrock, All Music Guide