Search - Gregg/Interzone Bendian :: Requiem For Jack Kirby

Space music in the InterZone between prog-rock and jazz

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 08/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gregg Bendian's Interzone is back with more cool, cerebral space music. Vibes, guitar, bass and drums. "Requiem" leads off with a Monkish number, "Kirby's Fourth World," and then comes "New Gods," which is clearly in the '70s progressive rock vein. This establishes the territory for the rest of the album, all 79 minutes of it! There are 7 tracks in all, and except for the last one, they are all between 9 and 18 minutes long -- complex compositions with lots of space for improvisation. This is the third recording by "Bendian's vibes group" (he is also known for his drumming in other contexts). The first, simply called "Interzone," was the most diverse and complex, with Mark Dresser on bass. Last year's "Myriad" was more clearly looking back to '70s prog-rock and fusion, with a sleek, crystalline sound. "Requiem" is quite similar to "Myriad," but with longer, spacier numbers and less dynamic range -- it sounds like it could be from the same sessions. Atavistic maintains its top-level artistic standards -- Kirby's splendid full-color work is used front, back, and inside for the liner notes insert. Here's to indie labels with integrity!"

I'm Usually A Real Smart Alec In My Reviews

J. Deighton | Inches From My Computer | 02/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"But as a free jazz loving comic book guy, I have to set all goofiness aside and say that this is a touching tribute to one of the great artists. While I hear all the prog/fusion touches, this album feels to me like the Modern Jazz Quartet thrown to the farthest corners of the universe. True 60's comicbook music. Who'd have thunk the guitar player would end up in Wilco? I cherish this album."