NYS MUSIC review of TILTED and Soundtrack for a Nonexistent Film

“‘TILTED’ boasts three lengthy explorations, all full of quirky creative turns and high-wire harmonic interplay. Nothing like the tinkle of a toy piano to set the mood for this most unique cover of Monk’s angular and playful Epistrophy.  McCaslin is the focal point for most of this 10-plus minute journey.  He deconstructs lines and floats across Evan’s alternatively chopped single note support lines and lush, complex chord painting.  McPherson’s unique drumming, evident on all the tracks, is at its most impactful here.  He’s a man more inclined towards orchestral stomps, punky thunks and unexpected breakdown fills than cliched, cymbal-ridin’ chinga chinga cocktail lounge swing. To my ears, his style owes more to someone like Captain Beefheart’s John “Drumbo” French and the delightfully jerky time of Prime Time-era Denardo Coleman than traditional post bopper.  And making this even more oddly Monk, Evan’s goes two hands for his solo here, one on the piano grand, and one on his toy ivories! Photo by Jude Goergen. On the other cover here, One Note Samba, the quartet wrestles a tasty dose of avant garde out of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s mellow bossa nova classic, with McCaslin tossing about the memorable melody, bringing a bit of sinister mood with the subtle delay and harmonizer laden on his horn.  With the sole original, Freedom is but a Fraction of Humanity, what starts as a lovely, yearning ballad turns into a high-speed chase, with especially fierce soloing from Evans.   All of these tracks are produced and engineered to perfection by Rubin and Amon, imparting a crisp acoustic experience, notable on Douglas’ deep soulful bass, and with tasteful use of electronic effects that give it just the right among of left field fun.”

By Sal Cataldi. Read full article here.