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Reviews

Spaced Out — Slow Gin
(Unicorn Digital UNCR-5006, 2003, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2003-08-01

Slow Gin Cover art

Every bassist who thinks they know how to play only needs to listen to the fourth track, “Minor Blast,” on this, the third album by Canadian quartet Spaced Out; for all but a very few it will be a lesson in humility, as bassist Antoine Fafard is by far one of the best playing today. And that’s not to denigrate the rest of the band either — they are all outstanding players as well. The driving symphonic fusion is highlighted by some outstanding and often pyrotechnic guitar work from Mark Tremblay, as well as solid support from keyboards and drums; occasionally they slow it down for a jazzier take. The bassist plays both a lead role within their sound, as well as the traditional role in the rhythm section, while on most of the tracks keyboards (piano, synths) play a support role, adding symphonic coloration and melodic punctuation without drawing a lot of attention to themselves. The two closing tracks, “Blue Ron Pipe AM” and “PM,” go for more of a freewheeling improvisational attack with some splendid guest sax solos. If there is any reader who hasn’t picked up an album by these guys yet, this is about a good a place as any to start. For anyone who has heard the previous two, you shouldn’t need any convincing. Symphonic fusion really doesn’t get much better than this.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Spaced Out, Antoine Fafard / Alta Forma

 

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