PAT METHENY - ORNETTE COLEMAN: SONG X

Technically, this free jazz record is outstanding. On the other hand, it is sometimes very hard to digest, because of the ultra dense textures played at inhuman speed. This record is the ultimate one for drums & percussions driven at an extreme speed! The saxes, the acoustic bass and the guitars follow very well the infernal cadence, but it is borderline dissonant. The amazing thing is the structure kept despite the impossible music involved. I like to compare this record to the Beefhart's Trout Mask Replica album: the main difference is that here the STRUCTURE is present! One could name this record "Free jazz for drums and percussions". In other words, this record is for the jazz amateur who look for outstanding technical drums and percussions show off, played at the speed of the light!

Rating: 3.5 stars