Breaking the Ethers


Breaking the Ethers is the debut album by the collaborative group Tuatara. Released on Epic Records, it was an attempt by members of Luna, the Screaming Trees and R.E.M. to try their hand at experimental, multi-ethnic music. It was produced by Barrett Martin and Justin Harwood.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone labeled Martin "a post-grunge Mickey Hart." The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Too good for lounge, too organic for techno, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and his Northwest buddies fashion an instrumental side trip that stands apart from those trends—and yet contains both hip swing and trippy vibes."

Track listing and Personnel

  1. "Breaking the Ethers/Serengeti" - - 6:25
  2. * Skerik - saxophone, didgeridoo, steel drums, temple gong, bombard, percussion
  3. * Justin Harwood - double bass
  4. * Barrett Martin - drums, percussion, marimba, tabla, congas, Tibetan horns, bullroarer, Taos thunder drum, steel drums, acoustic guitar
  5. * Elliot Haas - bullroarer
  6. "Dark State of Mind" - - 4:02
  7. * Skerik - saxophone
  8. * Justin Harwood - acoustic guitar, bowed bass, double bass
  9. * Barrett Martin - drums, percussion, vibraphone, marimba, cello
  10. "Saturday Night Church" - - 4:26
  11. * Skerik - saxophone
  12. * Steve Berlin - bass penny whistle
  13. * Justin Harwood - acoustic guitar, piano, double bass
  14. * Peter Buck - electric six string bass
  15. * Barrett Martin - drums, percussion, vibraphone
  16. "Dreamscape" - - 4:04
  17. * Justin Harwood - bowed bass
  18. * Peter Buck - electric six string bass
  19. * Barrett Martin - drums, marimba, bass marimba, steel drums
  20. * Skerik - vibraphone
  21. "The Desert Sky" - - 5:35
  22. * Peter Buck - dulcimer
  23. * Justin Harwood - steel drums
  24. * Skerik - udu
  25. * Barrett Martin - percussion, taos thunder drum, tabla, bass marimba, sitar
  26. "Goodnight la Habana" - - 4:49
  27. * Skerik - saxophone
  28. * Justin Harwood - Spanish guitar, double bass, percussion
  29. * Barrett Martin - drums, percussion, congas, timbales, marimba, piano
  30. "Smoke Rings" - - 3:24
  31. * Skerik - saxophone
  32. * Justin Harwood - slide guitar, vibraphone
  33. * Barrett Martin - marimba, bass marimba, steel drums
  34. "The Getaway" - - 5:04
  35. * Skerik - saxophone
  36. * Peter Buck - electric guitar
  37. * Mike McCready - electric guitar
  38. * Justin Harwood - double bass
  39. * Barrett Martin - drums, percussion, congas
  40. "Eastern Star" - - 4:20
  41. * Skerik - saxophone
  42. * Peter Buck - dulcimer
  43. * Justin Harwood - bowed bass
  44. * Barrett Martin - percussion, udu, dumbeck, bass marimba
  45. * Scott McCaughey - steel drums
  46. "Burning the Keys" - - 6:34
  47. * Skerik - saxophone, piano
  48. * Peter Buck - electric six string bass
  49. * Justin Harwood - double bass, vibraphone
  50. * Barrett Martin - drums, congas, djembe, marimba, bass marimba
  51. "Land of Apples" - - 5:38
  52. * Skerik - harmonium
  53. * Justin Harwood - bowed bass, double bass
  54. * Peter Buck - slide guitar
  55. * Barrett Martin - congas, tabla, djembe, vibraphone, marimba, bass marimba, piano
  56. "Breaking the Ethers/Serengeti " - 1:42