FLIGHT OF THE COSMIC HIPPO

This is the second album by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Just as the cover art on this disk is an expansion of the first album, the music here is an expension of the first album as well. Where the first album introduced us to this band's form of bluegrass fusion, but stayed in a mostly soft jazz realm, this album explores more adventurous forms of fusion.

Right from the start, where we hear Fleck's electric banjo played through guitar effects, the sound is much more like Return To Forever than easy listening, partly because the staccato sound of the banjo tends to sound not unlike Al DiMeola's signature sound.

The Wooten brothers continue to amaze on this release, with Victor's great bass chops and Roy's unbelievable Synthaxe drums. Howard Levy is the only weak spot in the band. His harmonica style still brings to mind elevator music. But at least the majority of the compositions transcend his playing.