Gauthier, Jeff Goatette – “Open Source” – [Cryptogramophone]

Jeff Gauthier with Nels and Alex Cline, long-time collaborators, are experimenting with mixing jazz and their unique ambient effects into the background of their songs. Four of the six guys are credited as playing “effects” on top of their other instruments, and the eerie, wonky space effects are a great accompaniment to Nels Cline???s electric guitar work.

Things Past is lackluster, and doesnt contain anything distinct we havent heard before, but still check it out. Track 6 is a cover of Ornette Colemans, Joy Of A Toy, which waxes and wanes in and out of outer spacey jazz sounds. The last and title track, builds slowly from a spacey, pitter-patter soundscape to an almost modern classical sounding bridge, back into the crazed power jazz breakdowns theses guys are pioneers of. Great addition to the plentiful Nels Cline collection here at KFJC???