Search - Mark Walker, Dave Onderdonk :: Loose Contact

An under-appreciated gem

Doug Robinson | Escondido, CA USA | 09/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Folks,I've been into this album for years! I can't believe that I've never thought to post a review anywhere. Ok, here goes:This is 50 solid minutes of creativity. It's a duo album--from what I understand it was performed live in the studio without any overdubs, all the more amazing because these two guys switch instruments in the middle of tunes or play more than one at a time...The drummer is Mark Walker, and he's terrific whether on hand percussion or traps. The guitarist and pianist is Dave Onderdonk. At times, he's playing an 8-string guitar (laying down bass on the lowest and chording and soloing on the higher strings). At other times, it's just a simple nylon 6-string acoustic. The tunes are excellent examples of ambient contemporary jazz that doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator, and yet manages to stay in the pocket and strongly melodic.It's an album that stands up under serious musical scrutiny, and at the same time it can wash right over you while you're hugging up to your loved one.Truly one of my favorite recordings. Give it a chance."