(idm) innerzone orchestra

From kurt
Sent Fri, Sep 10th 1999, 16:16

just got carl craig's innerzone orchestra 'programmed', and I'd have to say=
 it quite surprised me. as others have noted here, it's not consistent. but=
 my reaction after 24 hours and a couple listens is that the good stuff is=
 great, a very unlikely fusion of electronic sounds with live drumming and=
 (on a number of tracks) other live jazz players.

the first few tracks a pretty rough going. there's a throwaway track=
 featuring a booming voice issuing the innerzone manifesto ('coltrane,=
 blakey,' etc.), followed by a rap track that I find painful to listen to.=
 but starting with track 5 ('eruption') things really take off (there are 14=
 tracks). in addition to the peculiar but satisfyling fusion numbers, some=
 tracks stray pretty far into jazz (70's/miles vein only quite a bit=
 shorter), as well as a great cover of a 70's (?) social realism ballad=
 (people make the world go round) replete with strings and flute. deep=
 flavors and a tendency to elude cliche. A very sophisticated ear at work=
 here, I think...

I'm sure I have more stomach for jazz than many here; those that find it=
 anathema should definately steer clear.


kurt