From kurt Sent Fri, Sep 10th 1999, 16:16
From kurt Sent Fri, Sep 10th 1999, 16:16
just got carl craig's innerzone orchestra 'programmed', and I'd have to say=
it quite surprised me. as others have noted here, it's not consistent. but=
my reaction after 24 hours and a couple listens is that the good stuff is=
great, a very unlikely fusion of electronic sounds with live drumming and=
(on a number of tracks) other live jazz players.
the first few tracks a pretty rough going. there's a throwaway track=
featuring a booming voice issuing the innerzone manifesto ('coltrane,=
blakey,' etc.), followed by a rap track that I find painful to listen to.=
but starting with track 5 ('eruption') things really take off (there are 14=
tracks). in addition to the peculiar but satisfyling fusion numbers, some=
tracks stray pretty far into jazz (70's/miles vein only quite a bit=
shorter), as well as a great cover of a 70's (?) social realism ballad=
(people make the world go round) replete with strings and flute. deep=
flavors and a tendency to elude cliche. A very sophisticated ear at work=
here, I think...
I'm sure I have more stomach for jazz than many here; those that find it=
anathema should definately steer clear.
kurt