Natural Information

The next chapter of the Natural Information Society is here. Since Time Is Gravity, credited to Natural Information Society Community Ensemble with Ari Brown, presents a newly expanded manifestation of acclaimed composer & multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams nearly 15 year, 7 albums &-counting flagship ensemble.

Natural Information Society and Bitchin Bajas are both ensembles hailing from Chicago whose hypnotic music attempts to reach a trance-like state, but they approach their otherworldly pursuits in different ways. Natural Information Society (led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Abrams, who plays a three-stringed bass lute called the guimbri in this project) are a largely acoustic free jazz group whose intense, ecstatic performances are physically demanding, yet leave their audiences enraptured. Bitchin Bajas are an ambient/space rock group fascinated with vintage analog electronics, who tend toward calming new age minimalism.

A decade after their first collaboration, Automaginary, Chicago's longform explorers Bitchin Bajas and Natural Information Society return with Totality. This second convening comes at an excellent time for both artists. The Bajas have been exploring a number of avenues, including a collection of Sun Ra covers, a lovely set of healing tracks with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and a pair of electro-ambient records that moved slightly beyond their usual far-out-by-way-of relaxing fare. The Joshua Abrams-led Society released a series of wonderful records that reflect the length and power of their live performances (often structured as a single perpetual song over an entire set).

Rich in musical associations yet utterly singular in its voice, joyous with an inner tranquility, the music of Natural Information Society is unlike any other being made today. Their sixth album in eleven years for eremite records, descension (Out of Our Constrictions) is the first to be recorded live, featuring a set from London’s Cafe OTO with veteran English free-improv great Evan Parker, & the first to feature just one extended composition. The 75-minute performance, inspired by the galvanizing presence of Parker, is a sustained bacchanalia of collective ecstasy. You could call it their party album.

The follow-up to joshua abrams's critically acclaimed 2015 album magnetoception is here. simultonality, credited to joshua abrams AND natural information society (NIS), is the first recording in the project’s nine year, four album history made by a regularly gigging manifestation rather than a special assembly of friends. recorded in 2014 & 2015 in single takes by the full ensemble during & after tours of the u.s. & canada, simultonality sets out new pathways for abrams & the NIS to reach the next summit, & once more affirms the project's unique approach to joining traditional musics, american minimalism & jazz with the gnawa ceremonial instrument the guimbri.

What is the role of the environment, and of the information it provides, in cognition? More specifically, may there be a role for certain artefacts to play in this context? These are questions that motivate "4E" theories of cognition (as being embodied, embedded, extended, enactive).

A detailed reference work on gas supply and demand covering not only the OECD countries but also the rest of the world, this publication contains essential information on LNG and pipeline trade, gas reserves, storage capacity and prices. Natural Gas Information is one of a series of annual IEA statistical publication on major energy sources