Ulterior Lux: The Dancing Man

Ulterior Lux is Jean Chaine (electric bass, voice), Markus Stauss (saxes, extras) and Dimthingshine, otherwise known as Jim Rite (drums, voice). The players are exceptional musicians and all are leaders in the world of avant-garde fusion, a scintillating marriage between rock and jazz. The Dancing Man was recorded live with no overdubs in 1990 and originally released in May of 1995. This is difficult music to 'get' and is not for the jazz newbie. This is wildly improvisational free form jazz that will have your jaw dropping as there are moments here that will leave you dumbstruck but the quality of the musicianship is never in doubt.

There is plenty of space created for this eclectic three piece to shine in a live setting. Bass, drums and sax come together to produce a cacophony of dissonant sound and it will be up to you to decide if there is method to their madness.

Jean Chaine lays down a wicked bass groove in "Waste of Time" setting the foundation for Rite's odd metered drumming and Stauss' jazzy sax breaks. More funky bass playing and dissonant blasts of saxophone inundate the avant-jazz of "Slant Lines" where compositional form and improvisation collide to produce a kaleidoscope of sound that is both discordant and complex.

The rest of the album provides much of the same – an inherently complex work showcasing the musician's mastering of inventive playing and improvisational skill. The lack of coherent melodies will alienate many listeners but no one can deny this album's abundance of creativity. All I can say is listen to some samples and decide for yourself.

Track Listing:
1. Waste of Time (5:36)
2. Slant Lines (3:46)
3. Bloodriffs (6:11)
4. Outputblues (9:36)
5. K1 (7:14)
6. Mental in a Peachcan (8:15)
7. Look For Your Own Way (6:01)
8. Ghosts (3:38)
9. A 90 (10:52)
10. K1, The Ballade (6:00)

Added: September 27th 2010
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label Website
Hits: 3377
Language: english

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