Conjunction

Artist: Mike Clark With Paul Jackson & Marc Wagnon Label: Buckyball Records Category: Music Average customer rating: Media: Audio CD Number Of Discs: 1 UPC: 697855000820 EAN: 0697855000820 ASIN: B00005AU7B Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

1. Faster Than Light
2. Metamorphic
3. East West - Mike Clark, , Paul Jackson, Jed Levy, Marc Wagnon
4. Conjunction
5. Long Shot
6. Draconian Devonian
7. Gus - Mike Clark, , Paul Jackson, Marc Wagnon
8. Horta-Culture - Mike Clark, Paul Jackson, Jed Levy, Marc Wagnon
9. Light Step - Mike Clark, Paul Jackson, Jed Levy, Josh Roseman, Marc Wagnon
10. Unknown Shuffle - Mike Clark, , Paul Jackson, Marc Wagnon

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Customer Reviews:

Did we listen to the same disc?.......2003-06-09

Another, albeit remote, possibility exists. Maybe he just didn't attend to the proceedings with sufficient acumen. .

One thing that immediately impressed me about this very fine outing is the glorious range of tonal coloration, coming brilliantly to the fore on "Metamorphic," an outing which features vibes, clarinet, trombone, electric guitar, electric bass, and drums all marvelously interacting together--perhaps the only recorded instance of this exact soundscape. Another thing that impressed me is the range and variety of compositions, especially for an ostensibly funk outing. The two primarily responsible, saxist Jed Levy and vibesman Marc Wagnon, each write fine jazz tunes that prove to be wonderful vehicles for both improvisation and ensemble playing. Indeed, that may be part of the problem here: this is certainly more a modern-minded jazz outing than a straight funk-fest. There are really only three funk numbers at all ("Draconian Devonian," "Light Step," and "The Unknown Shuffle") and these are hardly typical of the genre. Compositionally, it shares territory much more akin to Billy Hart's brilliant jazz/fusion outings of the mid-late nineties, Amethyst and Oceans of Time. Not surprisingly, all feature perhaps the most remarkable player of the bunch, Dave "Fuze" Fiuczynski, on guitar.

What can be said about this incredible electric guitarist except that he's certainly an acquired taste? Playing on eight of the ten selections, he brings killer chops, masterful comping, mature concepts, and a loopy logic that keeps all involved always on their toes. Take for instance his work on the title cut. His solo is really in three parts. It starts out conventionally enough but after a killer bass solo by the inimitable Paul Jackson and a startling but brief solo by Marc Wagnon on vibes, he comes back with the full monty--all over his ax with a deft runs and bent strings--and finishes with another brilliant but lightly tossed off short burst of guitar wizardry. Or check out his wah-wah comping on "Long Shot"--some of the finest on record. Or his brilliant solo on "Gus" where he displays more nimble axmanship, and where Marc Wanon contributes quite a stunning solo himself on midi-vibes, followed by Mike Clark's only extended solo outing (and quite stunning it is, as well).

I can't say enough about the playing on this disc, especially Marc Wagnon on vibes. He plays his instrument like no one else, although sometimes he brings to mind Kahn Jamal, with his deep swing and amazing legato approach. Paul Jackson just amazes on electric bass. Eschewing annoying slap techniques (all too common on funk outings), he instead goes for agility and tonal mastery, and his handful of solos swing their butts off. For me, this is as accomplished as I've ever heard Mike Clark. Yes, he's more nuanced than typically, but that's what's called for here. And believe me, he's all over his kit with tasty fills, rim shots, polyrhythms, sprung rhythms, faux rhythms, and every other way to play with time signatures.

Perhaps the biggest problem with this outing is it's not obvious who the audience is. Certainly not a typical funk outing (indeed, it would probably alienate most fans of that genre), nor really fusion (at least not of the Rippingtons or even Pat Metheny variety), not pure acoustic jazz--it just isn't easily pigeon-holed. And for me that--coupled with the above mentioned virtues--is what makes this such a happening disc. A neglected masterpiece.

Not The Best Example of Clark's Immense Talent.......2003-04-24

Music CD:

1. Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival ~ John Handy
2. Consecration: The Final Recordings Part 2 ~ Bill Evans
3. Precious Energy ~ Loen Thomas w, the Gary Bartz Quintet
4. Chrysalis ~ Bruno Raberg
5. Solo Two/Happy Together ~ Pete Escovedo & Sheila Escovedo
6. The Man with the Horn ~ Ray Anthony
7. My Favourite Songs - The Last Great Concert ~ Chet Baker
8. California Concert: The Hollywood Palladium ~ Various Artists
9. Elf Bagetellen ~ Alex Schlippenbach Trio, Evan Parker
10. #2 ~ Kasper Villaume

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Large & In Charge ~ Chunky A

The Novelist/Walking Without Effort ~ Richard Swift

Beyond the Obvious ~ Jinxed

The Fancy Man ~ Mr. Wright

We're Sleeping Better Now ~ Delphine

Under the Western Sky ~ Chamberlains

Elements, Pt. 2 ~ Stratovarius

Pimpin' Ain't Dead ~ Do or Die

Jamboree ~ Naughty by Nature

Natural Progression ~ Sweatshop Union