Floratone - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Guitarist Bill Frisell and his Seattle-based confreres have reached a point where their atmospheric, group-oriented, laboratory-style evocations of Americana can be approached less as experiments than works in an established sub-genre. Floratone, which introduces prolific L.A. pop drummer Matt Chamberlain to the mix, started as a series of duets between him and fellow electronics maven Frisell. Their work was processed by engineers Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend, who passed it back for further tweaks and embellishments, including Ron Miles's plaintive horn. The prevailing quality is one of stillness in motion, but Frisell's involvement in toxic blues and early country cut through the minimalist and Copland-esque touches, and the rich melodies make individual songs stand out. --Lloyd Sachs

Album Description
Blue Note Records presents FLORATONE, a unique studio collaboration between drummer Matt Chamberlain (Fiona Apple, Tori Amos), guitarist Bill Frisell, and producers Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Laura Veirs) & Lee Townsend. An experiment in musical democracy, the album features eleven stunning, groove-driven soundscapes that are best described as futuristic roots music. Special guests include the bassist Viktor Krauss, cornetist Ron Miles, and violinist/violist Eyvind King.

Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

What A Dissappointment! August 16, 2007
17 out of 30 found this review helpful

I've been a huge fan of Bill Frisell's for many years now. I've almost got everything he's ever done on cd.

Having said that, Bill's output these last couple of years has been pretty much hit-and-miss, mostly miss. This album was a big miss. For one thing, it's boring and another thing, where's the melody in these songs? Now granted, there were a couple of tunes that I liked, but these few tracks don't make up for the rest of them.

If you're a big fan of Frisell like I am, then you're going to be dissappointed I think. I tend to like his more melodic side. Frisell is still, no doubt in my mind, one of the most innovative jazz guitarist to emerge in the past 25 years. His style is so distinctive that it would only take two or three notes to know it was him playing.

This album to me is treading almost the same territory as his "Unspeakable" album. It's really groove-based guitar music that goes nowhere.

In my opinion, Frisell has played best with drummer Paul Motian and on other musician's albums. Instead of picking up this album, may I suggest the following albums:

Kenny Wheeler - Angel Song
Paul Motian - I Have The Room Above Her
Paul Motian - On Broadway, Volume 1, 2, and 3
Paul Motian - Bill Evans (tribute album)
Paul Motian - Live in Tokyo
Paul Motian - Monk in Motian
Paul Motian - Trioism
Paul Motian - It Should've Happened A Long Time Ago
Marc Johnson - Bass Desires
Marc Johnson's Bass Desires - Second Sight

You can't go wrong with any of these albums. Try getting some of these albums instead of this. I would suggest this album only to Frisell fans and collectors of his music.

5 out of 5 stars

Bravo October 5, 2007
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Frisell continues to push what could fairly be considered a new genre of music. Open to any influence, created through an iterative, collaborative process, driven by technology, but deeply rooted in an organic, folksie feeling. I won't even try to come up with a name for it.

I'm sorry those Frisell fans who express disappointment in this release aren't captured by its seductive charm. Those of us who can't take it out of our various players know what I mean. It is sophisticated, surprising, and satisfying. It stands up to repeated active listening, and moves easily into the ambient background of your room, or your head.

For folks who have been fortunate to see Bill perform live in a variety of contexts, this album, as carefully constructed as it is, is somewhat more akin to his live performances than many of his other popular albums. The collaborators have somehow managed to retain the edginess created by the deconstruction of the music while it's right between your ears, if not right before your eyes.

My hat's off to them. But not my headphones.

5 out of 5 stars

This is a knockout! August 17, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I was bothered by "jazzsoundsgoodtome"s review. He said it treaded the same territory as Frisell's Unspeakable which he gave 5 stars to. Anyway, if you like some of the deepest organic grooves ever made and one of the greatest artists to ever play the guitar playing together, turn this baby up and bliss out with the rest of us! Don't get caught up in wether or not this is "jazz", it's just great, innovative music. "amazingunclassifiablemusicsoundsgoodtome"!

5 out of 5 stars

Lots of not so blue notes August 15, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

What a great album! It will take a bit of time to digest, with all the production work from Martine and Townsend, wide array of electronic sonic wonders, and varied misteriosos- but pretty darn fulfilling for fans of these great musicians.

5 out of 5 stars

totally brilliant September 27, 2007
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

This cd has not been out of my car stereo for the last month...it gets richer with every listen...this is an album about textures and tonality...if you listen with expectations of the past ....you will most definetly be dissapointed.For me Bill frisell keeps pushing the boundaries of music....genius
cheers
Steve

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