The current incarnation of the jazz-fusion trio known as Machine Mass features guitarist Michel Delville & drummer Tony Biano along with veteran woodwind player Dave Liebman (Miles Davis, Elvin Jones), and they've created a hot new record for MoonJune titled INTI. Liebman really needs no introduction, but both Delville and Bianco have been around the block a time or two (playing alongside Elton Dean, Paul Dunmall, Evan Parker, douBt, and The Wrong Object), and the synergy & creativity is immediately apparent between the three once you pop this bad ass CD in.
Delville is an explosive player, especially when he solos, as his John McLaughlin-meets-Frank Zappa inspired staccato licks just fly off the fretboard with furious intent. Check out his wah-wah drenched notes on the enticing "Centipede" or his dizzying runs as he weaves around Liebman's soaring melodies on the lengthy title track. Liebman lets both his flute & sax shine on a lovely interpretation of the Miles Davis classic "In a Silent Way", with Delville contributing some ominous sitar sounds as well as legato guitar lines. Bubbling electronics, soaring sax, and Bianco's busy drum fills permeate the quirky "A Sight", an upbeat, modern sounding jazz number that really kicks into high gear with a molten wah-wah solo courtesy of Delville. If you love some of Frank Zappa's extended guitar excursions, you'll really dig this one. "Utoma" is more of an improvised piece, with a killer drum solo, and the futuristic sounding "The Secret Place" features a brief guest vocal from Saba Tewelde. Fans of extended improvisations can look forward to the near 13-minute "Elisabeth" with plenty of solos from all three players, as Liebman squonks over some volcano guitar solos and busy drumming. "Voice" rounds out the album in upbeat fashion, a mysterious little fusion number with plenty of aggression.
In some spots, I wondered what INTI would sound like with some muscular bass added to the mix. It's not missed much throughout the entire album, but some bass could have enhanced a few tracks. Regardless, this is still very impressive stuff from Machine Mass, and highly recommended to any fan of modern jazz-fusion.
Track Listing
1. Inti (7:27)
2. Centipede (4:41)
3. Lloyd (6:24)
4. In a Silent Way (6:29)
5. A Sight (6:37)
6. Utoma (6:09)
7. The Secret Place (4:33)
8. Elisabeth (12:46)
9. Voice (4:53)
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