I'll second Rootless Cosmopolitans as being ahead of the game. . . It does sound a bit "early '90s" but that doesn't stop it from being a good album (just like how Ambitious Lovers sounds unmistakably "80's"---Gotta love that song "Lust" though). Anyone ever see R.C.? I was lucky enough to see Ralph Carney w/Marc Ribot & Smokey Hormel. Good stuff. It was Carney's project, but hearing them play some disjointed music together was a real treat. I don't know why folks want to compare jazz outings like Rootless Cosmopolitans with pop acts like the Chili Peppers or Faith No More for that matter. It's different music produced for different reasons. James Brown & Maceo had the tightest funk around, but I wouldn't compare their funk with, say, the Art Ensemble of Chicago. No reason for it. One is a bit more intellectual than the other, and one is a bit more rooted in, how do you say it, "the one." Roots music will always have a different agenda that doesn't appease folks that approach music from a purely intellectually standpoint. That's not to say that roots music can't be intellectual or that intellectual music can't be roots oriented. It just means that good music is good music, and much gets lost in the translation of comparisons . .. Matt -----Original Message----- --------------------------------- These opinions come as a surprise. Both Rootless Cosmopolitans records have always seemed revolutionary to me. Major inspiration. The only reason I don't listen to them so much anymore is because I OD'd on them years ago. Contrarily to my good impression on their first outing, I didn't really like "Requiem For What's-His-Name", excluding from that distaste their killer "Caravan" take, which is some of the best guitar work I've heard from Ribot. Lovely. Best, Efrin del Valle n.p: Marc Ducret "L'ombra di verdi" (Screwgun) ___________________________________________________ Yahoo! Messenger - Nueva versisn GRATIS Super Webcam, voz, caritas animadas, y mas... http://messenger.yahoo.es