Somewhere between jazz and bluegrass lies the music that Bela
\nFleck & The Flecktones play. Fleck plays the banjo and
\nsometimes the electric banjo giving the band that hoedown sound.
\nAnother member of the band named Future Man plays what is called a
\nsynthaxe drumitar (basically a drum set played like a guitar)
\ngiving the group a modern sound. Rounding out the band is Victor
\nLemonte Wooten on bass and Howard Levy on piano, synthesizers,
\norgan, and harp among other instruments.<\/p>\n
The band wastes no time on 1991’s
\nFlight Of The Cosmic Hippo<\/i> showing off their jazzy chops on
\nthe opening number “Blu-Bop.” This is a competent straight jazz
\nnumber. I like the part in the middle where they slow the tempo
\ndown a bit; I wish that part was a little longer. On the next cut
\n“Flying Saucer Dudes,” Fleck delivers his first acoustic banjo solo
\nand proves what a credible instrument it is for jazz. “Turtle Rock”
\nis a fusion ditty that is likeable and boisterous.<\/p>\n
Then the band really cooks with the title song. I think this is
\nthe best song of the set. This slow, bluesy number starts off with
\nFleck’s controlled banjo playing over Wooten’s lumbering bass
\nlines. Wooten really shines on this track as his bass emulates the
\nmovements of a hippo. Levy’s harp solo also is successful in
\nemulating the hippo. This is very clever stuff.<\/p>\n
The second half of the CD is where the bluegrass end of their
\nsound really dominates. “Jekyll And Hyde (And Ted And Alice)” is a
\ntour de force for Fleck as he picks through ever changing tempos.
\nThe unpredictable changes in this song make it a delight. “Hole In
\nThe Wall” is also unpredictable; it starts with a jazzy piano solo,
\nbut then the banjo comes in to shift genres midway through the
\nsong.<\/p>\n
The rest of the songs are covers: “Star Of County Down” is a
\ntraditional song where the band manages to retain the quaintness of
\nthe song while at the same time giving it a modern flavor. Their
\ntake on “The Star Spangled Banner” is not as dynamic as the Jimi
\nHendrix version but is somewhat interesting nonetheless, and the
\nBeatles “Michelle” gets a nice treatment from the band as well.<\/p>\n
The Flecktones have a very interesting sound. They show a lot of
\npromise on this release as their playing is above par. I think
\nthere are a few songs that are exceptional, but I would have liked
\nto hear a little more feeling on some of the cuts rather than just
\ntechnical proficiency. I’m sure that will come with maturity.
\nHowever, there is not one bad song here and I recommend this very
\nenjoyable album.<\/p>\n
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