SMASH & SCATTERATION (WITH VERNON REID)

One of Bill Frisell early album - duets with Ronald Shannon Jackson's Decoding Society and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid.

There are just they two playing on this album, but music isn't what you can expect from usual guitarists duet. First of all, them both use plenty of electronics, from guitar synths to dx drum synth (Vernon Reid plays banjo as well). Then, music there is quite experimental mix of usual Frisell's down tempo country and western techniques with big amount of free jazz, electronics and even some hardcore.

Possibly, the mix is not very organic, but many moments will really attracts listener. Some melodic, even nostalgic compositions are mixed with many quite free form electronic/guitar experimental ones. Electronic drums sound often dated and very artificial, happily there are not too much of them.

I believe everyone who knows Frisell's solo works like him mostly because of his eclecticism: here you will find excellent example of it. Far not best Frisell's work, this album is really one of the his most experimental. With it's own pros and cons. But really interesting enough to be listened.

My rating is 3,5, rounded to 4.

It is quite surprising that Bill Frisell and Vernon Reid made such fine music together. Sure, they both have explored some avant garde areas, but their styles always seemed so different to me. Where Frisell generally has a rural sound, with extremely odd twists and turns, Reid's guitar usually is brash and in your face.

But here, Frisell's avant country jazz seems to be the central tone. And it works. Especially surprising is Reid's banjo work. Size 10 1/2 Sneaks is almost pure bluegrass, except for all of the electronics warping the tone.

The best points are the songs where either guitarist cuts loose. Ried had a fantasic solo on Dark Skin, and his solo piece, Burden Of Dreams. And Frisell squeezes some wild sounds out of his guitar synth on his solo, Fr, Fr, Frisell.

If you are looking for traditional fusion, look elsewhere. But if you want to hear some fine work from two very different, but imaginative guitarists, give this a shot.