REVIEWS

Somewhere in the shadows between Miles Davis' Bitches Brew and John Coltrane's A Love Supreme lies the inspiration behind Tom McCarthy's The Electric Distance Surfacing. Though McCarthy's musical odyssey takes place on CD, the flagship track, "Noesis," resurrects a sonic idiom from the vinyl age—the album-side length, avant-garde jass cut. At 20-plus inutes, McCarthy's epic composition opens in direct tribute to Coltrane, then departs on a wild sonic voyage. McCarthy plays off the wild rythmic improvisations of veteran drummer Bob Moses, but explores more than just melodies and modal clusters. With wah-wah pedals, sharp-toothed distortion, and a host of ambient effects, the guitarist forges exciting sounds on every track—making the album as much a timbral experience as a harmonic one. - Jude Gold Guitar Player (Issue 380 Vol. 35 No. 10)

The overall vision is shaped by McCarthy's creativity, craft, and wit, and the result is rich in emotional and physical vitality. - Adam Levy (free-lance journalist and guitarist with Norah Jones)

If you've ever watched a '70s detective flick and decided the best part about it was its soundtrack, then this disc is for you—especially if you like extended guitar and saxophone solos, odd meters and otherworldly musical odysseys. - Jude Gold Guitar Player (Issue 399 Vol. 37 No. 4)