Keystone group expands
Scott Williams | Oakland, CA United States | 05/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Overview:
Moonshine brings back the same group from Douglas's 2005 release Keystone. The muse once again is the film work of Fatty Arbuckle. However, unlike the original Keystone recording this album is not intended to be a "soundtrack" to an Arbuckle film. This allows the artists more freedom explore different sounds and really opens things up for turn table artist DJ Olive who has a much more active role on this CD than he did on Keystone. Each of the tracks is inspired by different Fatty Arbuckle films, which make the tracks on this album much more diverse than Keystone. The album is a hybrid live/studio album. It was recorded live at an Irish radio station, but the live work was then edited in a studio. The end result is an album that has much of the interesting sounds and moods of Keystone, but offers a greater variety of songs.
Songs Highlights:
Kitten - As Dave points out in his liner notes... "Kitten breathes fire". The track opens up with something that sounds like a heavy metal riff. I'm not sure how they were able to create that sound without an electric guitar, but it gets the motor going on this fast and furious track. Douglas, Saxaphonist Marcus Strickland, and keyboardist Adam Benjamin take turns with one shredding solo after another.
Tough - This track begins with a repetitive break beat by DJ Olive. The track reminds me a bit of the hip hop/jazz fusion Cataloop by US3. Very catchy.
Moonshine - The title track sounds a lot like a funkified version of Coltrane's Giant Steps. The main theme seems to borrow a small segment of the giant steps melody. Strickland's solo on this track is just ferocious and reminds me of Joe Henderson's Caribbean Fire Dance. Douglas also has some really choice wails and yelps on this track.
Dog Star - The first track on the CD bears the most resemblance to the original Keystone effort. If you like the first release of Keystone you'll love this track.
Moonshine, is another fine effort by Douglas and team. Highly recommended.
"
Forward thinking
T. Klaase | Orange Park, Florida United States | 11/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stunning. This is the type of recording I've been waiting for - for a long time. Brilliant, fresh, and stellar musicianship. Highly recommended..."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1