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Mike Dillon has created an "out" neo-jazz album with his latest self-titled solo release. It quickly grabbed my attention with the first track, but unfortunately couldn't hold it as I got through the album. The songs seemed to stick to one formula and ended up all sounding somewhat similar. Maybe it's the vibraphone or just the fact that each song really is an eclectic, out there, jazzy kind of tune, which unless changed up frequently, simply becomes boring. That's not to say the album isn't good, because it is, it just falls into the realm of every song sounding too much like the last one. There are a lot of really chill grooves, but the album never really takes off and climaxes; it seems like it's just constantly building up throughout. I would've liked to hear more groove or some more jazz noodlings, but I guess this is where Mike Dillon's head is right now.
The man is an absolutely stunning musician, however. He never fails to amaze with his playing, and he does quite a lot of playing on this album, including the marimba, timpani, surdo, vibraphone, tabla, drum set, oil drum, electric vibraphone, shakers, berimbau, cuica, Handsonic, and the boomerang. I'm not quite sure what all those instruments are, but the vibraphone is definitely the common theme throughout. There are also some hard-driving, almost hip-hoppish drumbeats throughout, courtesy of Earl Harvin. The sax work is also quite steady throughout, but again it just never goes anywhere--there are no impressive solos, just a lot of background noise. There is also some cool drum and bass, with tablas worked in, such as "Syd." Mike also explores the trance fusion realm on "Dog House."
Dillon employs an interesting array of special guests on this album, including Harvin on drums, bassist Brad Houser, T.J. Dovebelly on 8-track tape scratching, vocalists Broc and Angel, bassist J.J. Richards, drummer John Spence and saxophonist Mark Southerland. This album is truly a showcase of the immense musical talent that Mike Dillon possesses and his capacity to play many different instruments. Though I enjoyed the album, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are into the "neo-jazz" realm and are familiar with Mike Dillon.
Sam Katz
JamBase | Boston
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