Chewing Pine

Free Form Funky Frēqs – Urban Mythology, Volume One (Thirsty Ear, 2007)

By this point in time, I think that the focus of the Blue Series has lost the little focus that it once had. Earlier inclusions of DJ Wally, El-P and Spring Heeled Jack all included overt submission to jazz styles and FFFF does not. In fact, Vernon Reid’s presence is so oppressive that even at two minutes into the lead off eleven minute track, the listener has already pre-figured the remainder of the track. Admittedly, Reid, who hopefully was wearing spandex bicycle shorts when he recorded this, still shreds at the guitar and is able to move the trio towards a George Clinton/Psych-funk free for all.

The rhythm section comprised of Jamaaladeen Tacuma (Ornette Coleman, James “Blood” Ulmer) on bass and G. Calvin Weston (Lounge Lizards, Zorn, Coleman, Ulmer) on drums is necessitated by the guitar work to not get as free as possible. And really, these two gentlemen are the reason that this endeavor is able to function. The recording is purportedly only the third time that this trio performed, and without the funk lock down from this tandem, Reid would be utterly lost. Amidst a tour, this trio would surely appease college aged hippies and forty year old, former long hairs turned accountants, but for the vast majority of listeners who are privy to the Thirsty Ear legacy, this might be an exercise in educating oneself in the ways of the past.