This 1987 production signifies experimental guitarist David Torn's second effort for Germany-based ECM Records. Here, the artist exhibits a sound, style, and methodology that are clearly his own, amid superb support by Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick/bass), and Mark Isham (trumpets). Torn generates gobs of excitement via his cunningly articulated phraseology, while also incorporating North African and East Indian modal concepts into these power-packed performances, fabricated upon climactic opuses and steamy crescendos. The guitarist's rippling harmonics and off-kilter voicings make for an engaging listening experience, especially when he trades sprightly fours with Isham atop the often-circuitous rhythms. Simply put, Cloud About Mercury looms as one of the finest jazz fusion dates of the '80s, and should be deemed a mandatory purchase for aficionados of this genre. Glenn Astarita
Tracks
1. Suyafhu...Snapping the Hollow Reed (David Torn)
2. The Mercury Grid (David Torn)
3. 3 Minutes of Pure Entertainment (David Torn)
4. Previous Man (Torn/Isham/Levin/Bruford)
3. 3 Minutes of Pure Entertainment (David Torn)
4. Previous Man (Torn/Isham/Levin/Bruford)
The Network of Sparks
5. a) The Delicate Code (David Torn)
6. b) Egg Learns To Walk (Torn/Isham/Levin/Bruford)
c) Suyafhu Seal (David Torn)
5. a) The Delicate Code (David Torn)
6. b) Egg Learns To Walk (Torn/Isham/Levin/Bruford)
c) Suyafhu Seal (David Torn)
DAVID TORN electric and acoustic guitars
TONY LEVIN Chapman Stick, synthesizer-bass
BILL BRUFORD drums, synthesizer-drums, percussion
MARK ISHAM trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer on (1)
MARK ISHAM trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer on (1)
Recorded March 1985 at Audio International, London
ECM 1322
ECM 1322