Xenoblast

Jazz Mandolin Project | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 9, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00004SQ2E
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,279 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Xenoblast

2. Double Agent

3. The Milliken Way

4. Spiders

5. Jovan

6. Dromedary

7. Shaker Hill

8. Igor

9. Hang Ten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once Again - Phenominal!, May 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Xenoblast (Audio CD)

This is hard driving improvisational music. It is endlessly creative and incredibly well recorded. It is also very difficult to discribe if you've never heard it. The compositions twist and turn and twist again. It's not the typical theme > solo > theme, more of a theme > solo > theme > solo > theme > solo etc... That's what makes this music so vital & fresh, a JMP album is never predictable even after you've listened to it 30 times, you'll still hear new changes and colors with every listen. If you enjoyed either of their two previous albums check this one out - it smokes! If you dig highly complex groove orinted space jazz look no further. This is the music of the future & thanks to Blue Note for spreading it to the masses. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars check out tour de flux first, May 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Xenoblast (Audio CD)

Having enjoyed 'tour de flux' for a few years and seen JMP live, I was happy to hear some new music of theirs. I don't think that this album has the melodic strength of Tour de Flux, nor are the songs quite as engaging. This album upon first listen does not have a tune like "flux", "nimbus" or "country down" that grabs the listener immediately. Likewise, the drumming of Jon Fishman, which is absolutely incredible on "tour" is missed on this album. The only other criticism I would have is that Trey Anastasio's guitar work is not used on a better tune. "hang ten" is basically a rhythm workout without any real solos.

The minor negatives out of the way, this album does feature some amazing musicianship and playing. JMP finds plenty of time to jam in the context of the tunes, but also locks into some very tight, funky grooves (check out 'double agent', 'dromedary'). Though the tunes are not as instantly endearing, the album improves after repeated listening. Of course, live shows are the best context in which to exerience this band. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS ALBUM. IT IS TOTALLY WORTH YOUR MONEY, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Xenoblast (Audio CD)

I was really impressed with this album. Jamie Masefield's compositions all vary- ranging from the rocking title track, the jam-bandy "Milliken Way", to the compositionally profound "Igor" to the silliness of "Hang Ten" the late night jam with Trey Anastasio. I have seen these guys live a bunch and they really build the songs to an awesome level when they are playing together (especially the trio of Dahlgren, Hoenig and Masefield). The songs on this album certainly are a great teaser to their live shows. And the crafty composition combined with the technical poficiency of Masefield is incredibly impressive. TOTALLY worth your money.