Across the Imaginary Divide

Bela Fleck | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder
• ASIN: B007TKBEJ0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,427 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 collaboration between banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck and Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio. Roberts' Trio is known for its virtuosic style: a style that is strongly rhythmic, melodic, and filled with dynamic contrast. Fleck is often considered the premier banjo player in the world. He has virtually reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo through a remarkable performing and recording career that has taken him all over the musical map and on a range of solo projects and collaborations. "It was a lot of fun working with B‚la on this project. He has a limitless imagination and, like our trio, he is willing to do whatever it takes to make a great record. The recording brings our two styles together in a way that I think will be really enjoyable for the listeners," said Roberts.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Jazz Trio format + Bela = Tribute to Past while pushing Boundaries June 9, 2012

By sprint

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

This one is a real gem- it tastes a lot like one of my all-time favorite albums, "Tales from the Acoustic Planet" #1 -with the added bonus of placing a serious emphasis on contemporary jazz. I think Bill Evans, Scott Lafaro, Paul Motian and Oscar Peterson would have loved this --and probably would have loved to jump in on at least a tune or two themselves if they could. All tracks are great and my favorites are One Blue Truth, Let's Go and That Ragtime Feeling. While I've always respected and admired Chick Corea, his energy level was always a little too much on the frenetic side for my personal tastes. The Marcus Roberts trio captures the essence of the earlier master trios- my only minor gripe is that I wish this album had made more of an effort to spotlight the efforts of the rhythm section like the earlier groups did. Rodney and Jason do a great job on bass & drums, respectively, but I suspect they could blow even more-to the same degree as, say, Max Roach or Ray Brown, if given the opportunity. Hey Bela-- please find Sonny Rollins and collaborate with him asap--that would be soooo cool!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great collaboration June 7, 2012

By Todd J Olson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

The playing by everyone on this album is superb. Many people don't realize that the banjo has a long history in jazz, and Bela showcases this very well on the album. This is a fun album for both jazz and Bela fans. It's something fresh and new and executed perfectly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Music We Might Make Together August 21, 2012

By a gentle sound

Format:Audio CD

(When I try to review products I attempt to think of a way to convey it in the spirit of my response. Please move on if you need or want a technical review, plus push the buttons on here and sample this)

I think of this CD this way. Imagine I had some reasonable musical talent. In blue grass violin and mandolin. An aesthetic. Then side by side place this guy, who will remain un-named, who has considerable skill say in jazz piano. But we are intrigued with one-having met- though we don't understand one another. We don't even take turns exceptionally well when we are showing off our skills. We just sort of play, taking an idea, ora flight as we respond to another. Sometimes we are so steeped in our own thoughts it's as if two different things were going on at the same time, but often times it's as if we were oddly talking in musical codes. (Maybe ones neither tries to understand.
That is how this work strikes me. An enchanting affair, where neither person fully sees the other, maybe, but invent lovely music together partial because neither feared putting it out there-and the talent factor.

My favorite is Across the Imaginary Divide.

I've been calling it Jazz-grass and I prefer that to any other category- because it pretty much describes the state of being. I'd try it if I were you...but again, hit the sample buttons and see if you are feelin it.