Search - Marc Johnson :: ECM Touchtones: Bass Desires

A Bit Worn Production-Wise But Still a Classic

David T. Foster | 08/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before the days of Amazon I bought this CD on one of my infrequent trips to a "hip" record store back in 1987. I subsequently listened to it probably at least 200 times and still return to it occasionally with great joy.



This is one of the all-time great examples of improvisatory music involving two guitars. The interplay here is just amazing. When Scofield solos on "Resolution," it just seems like Bill Frisell, Marc Johnson, and Peter Erskine are GLUED to him. Every twist and turn of his solo brings forth complimentary jabs, thrusts, and DRIVE from the rhythm section. It is truly awesome.



The first two songs are the easy standouts; "Mojo Highway" is almost as good. It's worth the purchase price (especially a used price) for those three tracks alone. The rest is not quite as engrossing but is still very good. Almost 20 years later I still think this is some of the best guitar jazz ever put down.



Yes, it's quite clear it was recorded in the late 1980s, when even JAZZ was affected by the production trend toward copious amounts of reverb. Get past that -- and this CD will reward repeated listening."

Fantastic!

Lovblad | Geneva, Switzerland | 03/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best ECM recirds ever. The sound is perfect and the playing simply blows your mind. Also there are both Bill Frisell and John Scofield on the record. Unique."