Having toasted Pitchfork for my Menomena review, let me introduce two minor grievances: (1) Nowhere on the original or revised versions of their best the 90's lists was Faith No More's coup de grace, Angel Dust; (2) The hipper-than-thou jazzhole Medeski, Martin & Wood snubbing. Since the second has more to do with this release by the sax/bass/drums trio Concentric, we'll go into that. Concentric makes similarly blunted, groove oriented jazz-funk in the vein of MMW, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you're like me, you can understand the value of music that isn't so preoccupied with shifting paradigms and just wants to groove your noodle a bit. I would say that Concentric succeeds in this facet somewhat admirably, leaving room for a cavalcade of odd vocal samples to peak their way through the mix.
That said, this heady mix is somewhat imperfect. Maybe it's because it is a home recording, and the group didn't quite have the right tools at their disposal, but at times the sax sounds a bit thin and plastic. Too many times to mention, actually. And it disturbs the otherwise fluid space jams (no not those of MJ and Buggs) of their lucidity. To be fair, though, on "Please, Mojo" it sounds just fine. There is some great flute playing on this track as well. But on the following track, "Allocate," we hear that airy, synthetic-sounding sax trot its way into the mix again. And its really too bad because "Allocate" is bestowed with a truly winning groove.
Listen, I'm in no way shape or form an arbiter of "jam bands." I caught a little bit of Bittersweet Motel the other day and felt as though I was ready to vomit up all those college days I was around friends who constantly played Phish and Dead music. I don't get it and I never will. But I must say, I understand and can get behind MMW just fine. Perhaps it’s the absence of the insipid singing. I dunno. But MMW, John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, and Concentric work like a more fluid version of those infectious instrumentals on Check Your Head and Ill Communication. It's true maybe that Concentric could let the dust settle on their recordings a bit, allowing them to retain some of the grittiness that their grooves belie. Concentric is one of those that fans of any of the bands I've mentioned (yes, even Phish and the Dead) will be able to get into. Electric Miles Davis they are not, as much as they try to get their Bitches Brew on for "Mazar-E-Sharif," but they'll work it for you, nonetheless.
1. Three Lemons
2. The Price of All that is Me
3. Please, Mojo
4. Allocate
5. Hit the Ground Recovering
6. Mazar-E-Sharif
7. Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge
8. Fill Mi Boni Belli
9. Slight
10. The Best Way to End a Career
11. Something I Probably Cannot Afford
12. Tropic of Capricorn
13. The Ambassador
More about: Concentric
