Bela Fleck & Flecktones, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Hidden Land
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Free Music Notes for Hidden Land
Free Music Review: A vast and inspired musical crossover
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one the most positively surprising albums I've got recently. Its musical range goes from classical, to Jazz, to country music. The incredible thing is that this vast musical knowledge crossover happens seamlessly, full of soul and groove. There is nothing hermetic about it. Despite the musical complexity, it sounds simple when these guys are playing. Really fresh, creative and competent. I definitely recommend this CD.Free Music Review: Reprograms your brain
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been a big fan since seeing the flecktones live for two shows in Tucson, AZ back in 1996. My first album exposure was thru the amazing live double album "Live Art". Later I saw Bela on the tour for the Bluegrass sessions and the Flecktones again on the tour for "Outbound". This album is a brilliant addition to their studio catalog, it really shines. It's hard to pick a favorite, but this is a contender.Free Music Review: Getting back in the drivers seat...
Hit: 4 Stars
I have been listening to the flecktones since the early 90's, following everything they did as a group and as individuals with other groups. I really became very disappointed with the quality of their music after the CD "Left of Cool". It was like they had just lost their "flavor"...trying to throw every ingredient into the pot and expecting it to come out good. Too many ingredients don't make a better stew.
This offering from the Flecktones seems to offer some of that older flavor they became known for creating, narrowing it down to just the quartet. First of all, I thank the Gods that singing took a back seat in this production. On this CD, you get the feeling that there was more effort put into the creation and final execution of each song, solo, bridge..etc. Each cut of this CD breathes better and takes on its own feeling much like their older music, which in turn, makes it much more enjoyable and listenable for myself. I thank them for this greatly!
This is some of the better quality playing I have heard from Future Man. He seems more refined and more open with his playing. Some of Vic's playing seems like he is more into this music with some nice grooves and tasty solos that aren't overly saturated with too many notes...although there is some good flashy stuff in there. Bela is Bela...always the professional and always solid. And Jeff Coffin, who I must admit hasn't been a moving force for me with the Flecktones, really does a nice job staying in his pocket and coming out when the music needs...my favorite CD with him in it yet.
Not to drag on, but this is a pretty solid offering by the Flecktones that I will be listening to again (like I did during their earlier years) to find something new in each song every time through. This CD so far has been enjoyable for me, and I would think, even more enjoyable for the Flecktones since it seems more like they are getting back to the roots of musicianship and away from trying to perform for the masses. It doesn't have the most experimental feeling of all their stuff, but it does (I think) aim them back down that road they seemed to have driven off long ago. I would have liked to have heard a bit more head-bobbing groove, but I will settle for this. A 5 star rating for me is an "Epic" recording. Although I wouldn't consider this CD epic, I would give this is a 3.5 to 4. I commend them for a nicely put together CD that will remain in my player for a while to come.
Free Music Review: Enjoyable listening.
Hit: 4 Stars
After several Flecktones albums (including 2003's ambitious triple CD Little Worlds that found the act collaborating with all-star guests including Derek Trucks, Branford Marsalis, and Bobby McFerrin), the group chose a back-to-basics approach for its latest release "The Hidden Land".
The disc solely features the Flecktones quartet, comprised of bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist Roy "Future Man" Wooten, and saxophonist Jeff Coffin. Together, the band expertly hones its trademark combination of bluegrass, jazz, funk, and rock influences within a more spacious and stripped-down environment.
The band has been together for 17 years, always trying to find the right next thing to do and not repeat themselves.
Having a lot of guests playing with them was an incredible amount of fun, but if they were to continue along that path,they would become very predictable.
Banjoist Bela Fleck hooks back up with his longtime backing group The Flecktones featuring longtime electric bass stalwart Victor Wooten. Their music is a mix of Americana, funk grooves and jazz and makes for pleasant if unchallenging listening. After opening with a brief Bach classical composition, the group moves into "P'lod in the House" which kicks the tempo up with pulsating electric bass and funky drum breaks. Wooten's bass is an active presence in almost every performance on this disc, especially on "Labyrinth" where it underpins pensive sounding flute and saxophone solos while scatted vocals bubble just underneath the surface.
There's a brief acoustic interlude on "Who's Got Three" with unamplified banjo (fingers scraping quite audibly on the fretboard) and clarinet taking center stage. Funky bass moves back into the forefront with the upbeat "Weed Whacker" with some quick pickin' and bouncy saxophone. "Subterfuge" gets a little more adventurous as the band jumps the rails of its comfort zone with an electric guitar solo, before ending things on a back-porch note, pickin' the banjo and tootin' on the flute for "The Whistle Song." Jam band fans will find a lit of grooves to like here, and while I found myself wishing that they took a few more chances, the album does make for pleasant if unchallenging background music.
Free Music Review: Interesting Music
Hit: 4 Stars
This is my first Bela Fleck album and I am quite impressed. I had to listend to it a couple of times to really appreciate the talent thes folks have.