FLORATONE: Floratone
Blue Note, 2007

An ever-changing instrumental landscape that mixes modern jazz with electronica, blues, folk and even a dash of reggae, this intriguing new project from guitarist Bill Frisell and friends sounds to me like a cinematic tour through seamy/steamy parts of the American south. A loop-laden, heady brew of slides, blips, echoes and thumps sounds perfectly natural despite thick layers of studio production. Great stuff!

All good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8.

1. 5:29 – deep midtempo dub with many layers, cornet & guitar briefly out front
2. 6:38 – strolling electro-folk atmosphere, slow & heavy in the middle
3. 4:25 – stomping country-blues shuffle, sliding horn lines & lowdown guitar
4. 6:56 – like a soundtrack: sinister shadings cover a slow, bluesy thump
5. 3:34 – sneakily stomping groove, a sort of back porch funk
6. 4:59 – relaxed rockin’ guitars, steadily thumping drum pattern
7. 4:01 – bluesy drag, catchy loping rhythm & bright echoey guitar, odd ending
8. 4:24 – quick pulse, moody horns, intoxicating guitars
9. 2:02 – upbeat interlude, walking rhythm, catchy bass melody
10. 4:05 – bright, sparkly loops; sounds a bit like a hip commercial
11. 1:41 – spare bass melody over guitar stings, clanks and bumps

[ Fo ] 25-Aug-07