JAZZPUNK

This has to be one of the most unusual and outrageous albums that I have ever heard. David is a master of the guitar, and combined with his love of free jazz then the results can be musically different to say the least. Although he has been recording since 1994 this is his first solo album, which was initially recorded for a jazz label that then refused to release it as they found it 'shocking'. It was only in an out of court settlement that Fuze managed to get the recording back, and he has now released it on his own label.

I can understand why a jazz label would have had kittens over this. I grew up listening to jazz and I have not heard anything quite like this. There are areas that conform to normal jazz ideas, but these are rare. David goes off at tangents, getting sounds from his guitar I didn't think possible. His use of fretless guitar as well as fretted adds to his own unique sound. If you enjoy Steve Vai or Joe Satriani then be aware that there is another phenomenal guitarist around, but be warned, although this is an album of 'standards' you will have never heard any of them played like this before (he has turned "Third Stone From The Sun" into a new song completely). A challenging album, but worth the effort. Visit the web site at www.torsos.com.

Originally reviewed in Feedback #60