Diverse effects are also components of the entrancing experience. During his solo Molitz used a voice mike to get an effect that was not quite singing as he picked out various sounds on the keyboards. Darren added to the rhythm that Steve had crafted. A few beats later Eric and Ben contributed their charges to the multifaceted jam, which incorporated trance elements. The stage got dark, as spooky sounds emanated from the stage, the rhythm subtly increased with the bass and drums. Effects from the keys were like a scratching, string noise that was hard to identify. The music flowed for a bit before three members left the stage allowing for Steve to conduct alone at his keys. Molitz elicited a wide range of sounds including a bass tone and strange mechanical voice effects. Even Steve can't help moving to the music. Setting up a loop, he vacated the stage.

Particle of Earth - Ben Combe

Darren was the first to return playing a primal solo. The rest of Particle soon rejoined the exploration that had a classic jam sound. A few more notes into the tune it was apparent that they were going into an inventive cover of 'The Other One' making one of the Dead's signature songs uniquely their own. The jam faded out with Gould playing a slide effect on his bass with his hand brushing down the strings of the guitar. The slow down allowed Molitz to play a soft, subtle solo before the bassist and drummer decided to kick up the tempo into another energetic experimental foray.

The set closed with 'oDC' and 'Sun Mar 11' and Steve quoting Mickey Hart "are you feeling good? Then take that feeling out into the world and do something good with it." The band quickly returned to the stage for an encore that included extensive, energizing jamming during '7th Gear' and 'Gator Rap'.

The concert at Mexicali Blues was our first time seeing Particle live and we were impressed. We were totally taken in by the music and the passion of the "particle people". Particle are alchemists combining the key elements of the earth and music in a fusion that is elementary yet extraordinary! Opening for Particle was The Bridge, a five piece from Baltimore, Maryland. They too were a dazzling jam band combining genres in animated tunes that included interesting instrumentation and vocals with three of the five band members singing. They had a more jazz-based sound with their sax player taking front and center on several occasions. The Bridge was also apt at effects and paid tribute to their hosts with 'Fiyo on the Bayou' adding their own rapping, jazz flair to the Particle tune.

Particle of Fire - Darren Pujalet

Originally Published: 11/19/2006 on Kweevak.com