STRANGE MEETING

One of rare fusion super-group from late 80-s, this power trio is almost forgotten by wide listeners. And it's a shame! Because this (only) their album is one of the best jazz fusion recordings from all decade!

Bill Frisell's guitar is recognisable there, and sounds sometimes as his nostalgic-melancholic provincial Americana in his earlier solo works, or as nervous, cold and noisy as his Naked City's recordings. Most interesting, that differently from both mentioned above, on Power Tool's album Bill plays both manners at the same time, mixing them even in the same composition!

Drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson is known from his work with Ornette Coleman and many other collaborations. Melvin Gibbs played with Henry Rollins (!), so you can imagine what a mix is this trio's music!

But, speaking about the album, I think this release is unique enough, whenever such experimental, clever and brave mix is recorded in late 80-s, far not the best time for such music at all. Noisy, very complex technically, with many free jazz elements, but at the same time melodic in places and never too strange or not-accessible to be out of interest of casual fusion fan.

Unhappily, the only release of very interesting trio ( live on BBC, their another recording, was never released). Very recommended as excellent example of still-alive and burning fusion from late 80-s.