An Ancient Manuscript Is Opened

from Potions by The Alchemists

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    POTIONS, the debut studio album of The Alchemists, features improvised, melodic, multi-genre music. Comes in a transmutated jewel case created by the Philosopher’s Stone, liner notes by Emperor Rudolph II and dowsed with original art. Follow the alchemical storyline that frames the album at individual track pages. A CD Baby Editors’ Pick.

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THE UNFOLDING TALE - TRACK 14

There are many candidates for what manuscript the alchemical conclave poured over. One possibility is the influential Tabula Smaragdina (the Emerald Table), not least because it names Hermes Trismegistus (Track 4) as the author, although
it is apparently the work of several individuals dating to the second and third centuries CE.

However, in this alternative timeline Mr. T might well have brought along a personal copy to discuss and compare with any of the multiple Latin translations and commentaries made during the Middle Ages - including one by Albertus Magnus (Track 12). Everything connects.

But maybe talk of an “ancient” manuscript was another coverup (Track 8). Could the alchemists really have been studying the mysterious Voynich Manuscript, which apparently dates to the 15th century? Some allege it was sold to Rudolph II (Track 1) by John Dee (Track 9). Not considered likely by scholars, but good enough to enter the voracious maw of this story.

If Rudolph had it, he would want his all-star team to take a crack at trying to decipher a document written in an unknown language or code that has defied cryptographers to this day. They would be glad to take it on if only to appease their increasingly frustrated patron.

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Any other possibilities what they might have looked at? You are invited to send suggestions, point out significant factual errors in any narratives and, of course, comment on the music itself. To address alchemical issues, send a message via Contact The Alchemists. Material used will be acknowledged. To comment on music you need to buy the CD and have a Bandcamp Fan Account.

For more info about the album and the narrative used to frame it after the recording was made, go to the Potions home page.

credits

from Potions, released December 13, 2015
Tom Hall - Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Leake - Percussion
Dennis Livingston - Flute, Sopranino and Alto Recorders
Bob Nieske - Bass
Randy Roos - Guitar

Full bios are at the Potions home page.

Recorded, mixed & mastered by Randy Roos at Squam Sound, Ashland, NH
Graphic Design by John Colan
Artwork by Chris Gill
Produced and liner notes written by Dennis Livingston

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The Alchemists Boston, Massachusetts

Improvised, melody-driven, inventively original songs. Blues, Latin rhythms, Indian beats, chamber music and other far-flung genres. Wild outbursts of sound. All woven into unexpected compositions.
“Each of The Alchemists improvs on Journey To The East is like a circus act of music, teasing the listener with suspense about what kind of feat will come next.” Steve Elman, critic for The Arts Fuse ... more

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