SMASH & SCATTERATION (WITH VERNON REID)

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.