COMOTION
Head West (SCI Fidelity)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Comotion is a collection of some fine players from a diverse series of musical experiences that include bluegrass, jam bands, and that innovative band that captured my turntable in the 1970's, Oregon. Comotion features members of the String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon, and the Paul Winter Consort. The reggae-tinged "Into Da Night" builds with Paul McCandless' reed work along with a rainstick, and has a Rasta vibe all it's own. There's a mixture of Hawaiian and Spanish influences on "Oh, Lei" and this entire disc is flavored with a variety of strings, horns and percussion. There's Darol Anger (Turtle Island String Quartet, David Grisman Quintet) on violins, Mike Marshall (another Grisman alum) on guitars Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident) on mandolin, Tye North (Leftover Salmon) on bass, and Jeff Sipe (AKA APT Q-258) (Leftover Salmon) and Aaron Johnston (Aaron Johnston Trio) on drums. With resumes like that, Comotion fulfills the promise of an eclectic jazz sound, like Brand X (also a mainstay on my turntable in the 1970's). Comotion, though, isn't a throwback: it's a great ride into some uncharted waters, powered by some pretty surprising and innovative players. For some new jazz, I'd surely Head West.

Track List:

Pleebus * Into Da Night * Crawl We Must * Marshall McKanger * Oh, Lei * The News * Slither Me Yonder * Thank You * I Coulda Told You * Dominical * Celtus Mobius 2000

© 2000 - Eric Steiner