Outbound

Outbound

ASIN: B00004VW9O

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones emit joy, exuberance, and stylistic outreach routinely when playing live. That reach opens their Outbound with "Hoedown," which might just as well be titled "Barn Dances of the Gods," connecting as it does the Appalachian folk lineage to the works of Aaron Copland and Oliver Nelson.

On their first recording for Columbia, this charismatic touring band is making a serious move for the kind of commercial breakthrough (à la The Pat Metheny Group or Heavy Weather) that their talent and ambition should long ago have cemented. Thus, when Shawn Colvin's lilting soprano answers "Futureman" Roy Wooten's raplike intro on the bridge to "A Moment So Close," followed by exotic textures and metric changes right out of a South Indian raga, the effect is not unlike the Dave Matthews Band's sophisticated amalgam of pop and jazz-fusion. Indeed, Futureman's vocals key several excellent tracks, as Outbound finds these virtuoso populists cruising in the passing lane of popular acceptance with airs of Near Eastern, North African, and South Indian folk music abounding (and commingling with Northern European elements on "Shuba Yatra").

Guest artists Adrian Belew on guitar, Andy Narell on steel drums, and John Medeski on organ help flesh out several fine arrangements. Bluesy undercurrents, coy humor, and echoes of rustic and urban Americana abound on the title tune, "Lover's Leap," "Scratch and Sniff," and "That Old Thing." Even when a more jammy mood predominates (as on "Earth Jam," where one of Fleck's electric lines suggests both the tone and phrasing of a Jerry Garcia solo), the virtuoso imagination of banjo master Fleck and bass guitar innovator Victor Wooten are focused entirely at the service of the arrangements. A giant leap forward for the Flecktones and their fans. --Chip Stern

Tracks:

Intro
Hoedown
A Moment So Close
Zona Mona
Hall Of Mirrors
Earth Jam
Something She Said
Ovombo Summit
Aimum
Prelude
Lover's Leap
Outbound
Scratch & Sniff
Shuba Yatra
That Old Thing
Reprise

Amazon.com

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones emit joy, exuberance, and stylistic outreach routinely when playing live. That reach opens their Outbound with "Hoedown," which might just as well be titled "Barn Dances of the Gods," connecting as it does the Appalachian folk lineage to the works of Aaron Copland and Oliver Nelson.

On their first recording for Columbia, this charismatic touring band is making a serious move for the kind of commercial breakthrough (à la The Pat Metheny Group or Heavy Weather) that their talent and ambition should long ago have cemented. Thus, when Shawn Colvin's lilting soprano answers "Futureman" Roy Wooten's raplike intro on the bridge to "A Moment So Close," followed by exotic textures and metric changes right out of a South Indian raga, the effect is not unlike the Dave Matthews Band's sophisticated amalgam of pop and jazz-fusion. Indeed, Futureman's vocals key several excellent tracks, as Outbound finds these virtuoso populists cruising in the passing lane of popular acceptance with airs of Near Eastern, North African, and South Indian folk music abounding (and commingling with Northern European elements on "Shuba Yatra").

Customer Reviews:

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones.......2006-08-17

"Outbound" contains almost eclectic tracks, with "A Moment So Close" and "Zona Mona" appearing back to back. For more catchy vocals, including all the instrumentals expected, try "A Moment So Close" or "Something She Said." For that awesome banjo without a hint of bluegrass, as well as so many other instruments, try "Zona Mona," and "Shuba Yatra." I feel like a lot of this music is on the edge of being boring, yet somehow it's not. Sometimes it sounds like a fun jam session, and other times it sounds like the film score to a Kathleen Turner film. Either way, I'm a fan and you should be too. Pick up a copy and you'll see why.

Will someone tell Futureman the experiment is over - real drums rule.......2006-02-07

I love Bela fleck and all he has done to bring the banjo to the mainstream music listener. That said, he has to put futureman to rest. Vocals aren't too bad, but that tingy, hollow sound that comes from his electronic drumkit ruins what is otherwise beautiful music. And don't get me started on the live records. Futureman, do us all a favor and listen to Billy Cobham, Max Roach, Dennis Chambers, anyone!
At one point people thought that the "80's" represented the "future" of music. Nough said.

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones.......2005-06-18

My introduction to the Flecktones. A perfect introduction; well, almost.

Somehow, over the years, jazz has managed to fuse with every kind of music imaginable. First, jazz was born incorporating with blues and ragtime. Over the years, popular music was tied in with jazz, then later on, Dave Brubeck managed to incorporate classical influences with jazz, and this so called "chamber jazz" was born.

Then as jazz was growing more and more, becoming even more complex, out of the blue rock was somehow fused with jazz, and then we had fusion. Afro Cuban influences created latin jazz, and later on even hip-hop, R&B, and pop was mixed with jazz.

But something Bela Fleck created all himself was the birth of Bluegrass coming together with jazz. And the thing I found out is that I actually like bluegrass, in an instrumental setting of course.

When I first heard this, I was like, man I don't like bluegrass music, and all this R&B sappy singing. But as a listened to the whole album non-stop in the car taking a drive through the beach, I really listened to Bela and the rest of the musicians. What conversations! This is true musicianship.

One reviewer said there is just too many musicians with different backgrounds. Sure, it doesn't work sometimes, but here? Bluegrass, jazz, very progressive stuff! It works. Granted some of the tracks aren't my cup of tea, probaly the two numbers with lead vocal parts, but I'm sure I will come to like them. I'm wondering if he/she did not take the time to fully listen to the music. This band has opened up my life, and it is very spiritual to me, not in the sense of religion; well maybe, but a religion totaly musical. Better than anything else, this music is just fantastic.

Hoedown is the perfect introduction to this wonderful disk. It just sets the mood so much. Such ironic music to be brought into a jazz setting, but it works. The banjo is just magnificent, when not bombarded with just awful stale lyrics about how some guy's women left him.

Zona Mona, so great, my first Flektones track I ever heard which made me get this release. Future Man, I wish he played real drums. I am a drummer and when I go to the shows I like to watch other drummers for enjoyment. But as for the recordings, the synth-axe drumitar is actually quite warm, and if I ever learn how that contraption works, I would sure love to learn how to play that thing!

Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, such a unique group. When I'm looking for jazz to listen to.....as for modern music, I don't wanna hear cats just swinging in 4/4. I need the music to be different, and unlike anything I have ever heard, and Pat Metheny and Bela Fleck's Flecktones seem to deliver that special brand of jazz to me, the best of them all. I will sure be looking foward to all the upcoming Flecktones releases, and will be with this band for many more years to come!

not béla's best.......2004-10-24

I am both a fan and admirer of Béla Fleck as a musician and as a composer. I own numerous recordings of his music as both a frontman and a sideman. I appreciate what he has done for the introduction and establishment of the banjo in the modern musical palette. Thus, in the context of the aforementioned, I was both shocked and unnerved that I found one of his most recent efforts the way I did.

To put it succinctly, this album can best be described as cultural clashing. There are simply too many musicians simultaneously playing on this album; the whole of the album musically is like walking into a crowded restaurant. If Béla would thin his bill a good deal more, it would more than likely make the musical core of his band more digestible (and possibly save money for him, rather than needing to invest in a sound board the length of a small schooner). If one is interested in hearing Béla's group in a more open environment, he or she should check out the Flecktones' earlier efforts, such as UFO TOFU).

Also, as previously stated, this album falls prey to the quite common belief that the incorporation of various cultures in music is a sure-fire way to be "hip" (in such a manner that the more obscure the culture is, the more effective it is). I'm sorry, Béla, but there are several musical postulates that need to be considered before next recording session: tabla clashes with banjo. Tabla clashes with Aaron Copland. Smooth jazz clashes with Tuvaluan throat singing. Futureman clashes with everything. 30 seconds of steel pan interlude will do nothing but sound out of context. In order to appreciate these cultures, one needs to appreciate them individually. For tabla playing, consider the recordings of Zakir Hussain. For steel pan, consider modern steel pan virtuoso Liam Teague. For modern banjo interpretation, consider Béla Fleck's latest project: his duet effort with double-bassist Edgar Meyer (who, coincidentally enough, appeared on Outbound as well), Music for Two. For Tuvaluan throat singing, consider the phrase "practical application of talent."

Furthermore, Béla's individual playing is almost buried by the drone of the other musicians. This teaches us the limits of the banjo in modern music: it sounds best in a small group setting, such as a quartet (or a duet, as stated above).

In conclusion, this album came as a major disappointment to me both as a musician and a fan. This album would make a great present for one who enjoys top 40 and/or pop music--preferably, that one should not have heard of Aaron Copland, nor his orchestral work Rodeo (of which "Hoedown" is the finale). Also, this equates well with one who is deadset on appreciating all musical cultures--at once.

2 stars.

Best album I have ever owned!.......2004-01-04

My cousin told me about Bela Fleck a few months ago. I received this album for Christmas and it is incredible. Hoedown is my personal favorite but Aimum is good too. Buy this cd.

Average customer rating:

Better With Age
nothing but wowness!
How has his arm not fallen off?!
Stu does it again!
a little dissappointing

Outbound
Stuart Hamm
Manufacturer: Favored Nations
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

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Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004WF7O
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Outbound
...Remember
The Castro Hustle
Star Spangled Banner
The Memo
The Tenacity Of Genes And Dreams
Charlotte's Song
A Better World
Further Down Market
Lydian (Just Enough For The City)

Customer Reviews:

Better With Age.......2007-03-05

It's true. There isn't as much unaccompanied solo on this disk as Stu's previous ones.

On the other hand, the progression away from that has been steady. I have all of Stu's stuff, and thought his early performances and recordings were incredible.

But with age comes maturity. This disk is just mindblowing. There's still an amazing level of virtuosity, brilliant compositions, and an absolutely soul-searing feel for the instrument. Flip on "The Castro Hustle" and feel the walls shake. "The Memo" and "The Tenacity of Genes and Dreams" are soulful and inspiring but still rocking. Stu's rendition of the National Anthem is a moving, eloquent passage that's as soft as a lullaby, but stirring, not sleepy.

The title says it all. Stu is Outbound, and there's a lot of territory he still wants to cover.

nothing but wowness!.......2004-02-01

Stu Hamm was completely unknown to me for the longest time save for the fact that i knew he was a bassist. Once introduced to him through "Quahogs Anyone", "Terminal Beach", etc etc, i fell in love, and went out to buy whatever I could find from him, and Best Buy happened to have Outbound... Never heard any of the tracks from it, brought it home, and it's now one of the three most rotated CDs i have in my collection.

Hamm writes some of the most beautiful songs, focused around the bass, but still complete songs, not just filler behind the rumble. Youth Engine helps bring forth amazing aural landscapes, and Stu's chops are inimitably classic! From the upbeat opening track "Outbound" through the tapfest that is "Tenacity Of Genes And Dreams", the quiet beauty of his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, through the (as mentioned in another review) Jaco-esque "Lydian", this CD is definitely one entire piece of classic work, in my opinion. True, there's not a lot of slap bass for all you Vail fans, but it's different, it's Stu. I love the tapping and multi-part arrangements, and it's a refreshing change from all-slap.

Either way, however, Outbound is a must for any bass player or admirer. Beautiful from start to finish, it's more than a worthwhile buy!

How has his arm not fallen off?!.......2003-12-17

This CD is awesome. that about sums it up. Stu shows his insane bass skills which make you wonder how he's kept his right arm intact. He shows his full skill as a bassist in songs like "outbound", a song that made me go "Holy sweet mother of god!" and my jaw drop. and other songs where he just stays laid back and compliments the song with simple yet effective basslines.

and of course you cant forget the other instruments, all of which are played amazingly by great musicians. You should definately try this album.

Stu does it again!.......2001-12-04

A technically amazing bass player shows us all that emotion is just as important. If you love his other jazz/rock fusion work, this will be no exception. With the help of Youth Engine, he brings in technology without sounding Techno, and explores some amazing aural-scapes on this CD, by incorporating sounds and feelings of the city into his music. He seems to be looking more inward with his music, telling us how things affect him, not just how he sees them, and by doing so he is really defining who he is as a musician. For the first time on a CD he has truly found his own voice. And what a sweet voice it is!

a little dissappointing.......2001-08-21

I'm sorry 5-stars guys and girls. Not for me. Right now I'm in the middle of discovering the bassguitar as a solo instrument. Listening a lot to heroes like Jaco, Anthony, Victor etc, Stu had to be on my hitlist. Perhaps Outbound is not my album.

This album is not a jazz/fusion kind of thing. It sounds more like sophisticated film music to me. There are some nice songs, but overall...... Although you can only admire the tapping skills of Stu, for me it's often too busy.

Four In One: Build Me Up, Melt Me Down/Outbound/5th Song/Saidiwas
Average customer rating:
Four In One: Build Me Up, Melt Me Down/Outbound/5th Song/Saidiwas
Various Artists , and Shield
Manufacturer: Desperate Fight
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

Flow
Figures
Snowman Blues
Hide
Solitude
Outbound - Purusam
Lack of Compassion - Purusam
Source - Purusam
Rearrange - Purusam
Realm
Funeral
Ballgame
5th Song
On Their Behalf
Critic
Belief
Liberal My Ass
Educate or Leave
Punk Rock Revolution
in/On Your Chest
Solidarity

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Outbound
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000051T9P
Release Date: 2000-09-06

Tracks:

Intro
Hoedown
Moment So Close
Zona Mona
Hall of Mirrors
Earth Jam
Something She Said
Ovombo Summit
Aimun
Prelude
Lover's Leap
Outbound
Scratch & Sniff
Shuba Yatra
That Old Thing
Reprise

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track.

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Outbound

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000G1II9I

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Outbound

Manufacturer: Acropolis Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000BHHPWS

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Outbound

Manufacturer: Optimism Incorporated
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0009X0NGO

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Outbound
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones
Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000056UUR
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

Intro
Hoedown
Moment So Close
Zona Mona
Hall of Mirrors
Earth Jam
Something She Said
Ovombo Summit
Aimun
Prelude
Lover's Leap
Outbound
Scratch & Sniff
Shuba Yatra
That Old Thing
Reprise

Album Description

17 tracks , produced by bela fleck.

Average customer rating:

Outbound
Hamm , and Stuart
Manufacturer: Favored Nations
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LWOU26

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music