Bruce Eisenbeil - Michael Attias - David Taylor - Jay Rosen: Opium

New York City based electric guitarist Bruce Eisenbeil treads upon paths similarly founded by the likes of Joe Morris and the grand master of improvised free-jazz type guitar, Derek Bailey. Eisenbeil primarily centers his craft within trio and here, quartet settings. With this effort, everyone shares the limelight. Soloing opportunities abound as the guitarist and saxophonist Michael Attias interlace a surplus of jagged motifs. The album commences with the musicians’ nimble tinkering and introspective thematic concoctions. Yet, they build up steam amid an array of intense improvisations and climactic developments. Eisenbeil is an inventive soloist, who rarely stays with one formula or mode of operation. Otherwise, the guitarist’s interaction with Attias and bass trombonist David Taylor makes for an enticing polyphonic program. While drummer Jay Rosen encircles the soloists by effectively staying on top of an assortment of twists, turns and spiraling movements. The band also makes a few crafty thematic adjustments on the fly. Hence, this effort ages rather well. Recommended.

Cadence Distribution

Track Listing: 1.Shadows Knight 2.Biting through 3.Expectation 4.Whale Booty Stomp 5.Kinetic Pimp 6.Ode To Blind Joe Death 7.Over 8.Opium 2 9.Climbing To The Zoot Base 10.Oklahoma Sprawl 11.Whisper 12. New Years Eve

Personnel: Bruce Eisenbeil: acoustic & electric guitars, leader

Title: Opium | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: CIMP Records