ISOTOPE 217
Utonian_Automatic (Thrill Jockey)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Venturing further afield, Isotope 217 moves its dissection kit from the jazz to the fusion table. Exploratory music is always a hard sell, and often a hard listen, even for those who do it well, and a unit as adventurous as this has to survive by other means. Isotope 217 is the (further) experimental side project for some of Thrill Jockey's stable (Tortoise, Sea & Cake), venting an outlet for some aggressive musical collage. The latest foray uses jazz fusion as a starting block, then proceeds, step by step, to get out of hand. Dig deep for a smattering of golden nuggets, especially the odd funk jam, early seventies style. As always: worthy of close attention class.

© 2000 - John Sekerka