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Béla Fleck and the Flecktones: Outbound
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones have always been a talented, adventurous band with dangerous tendencies. One of these tendencies is crossing the fine line between progressive jazz and easy-listening schlock, which they did in fine fashion on 1993's Three Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, sounding like Kenny G. taking up the banjo. Another dangerous tendency is having lyrics of any kind, a mistake they began making on 1998's Left of Cool.
The words have not gotten any better on the Flecktones' new disc, Outbound. Take this example, the chorus of "Aimum:" "If you knew what I've been dreaming of/Then you'd know it all comes down to love." It avoids being hokey drivel only by making absolutely no sense.
Despite these character flaws, the Flecktones are one of the most interesting ensembles around, blending different genres of music in ways that manage to satisfy purists from all camps. Their live shows are legendary, and they have found a niche in the jam-band pantheon alongside Phish.
These strengths are in greater evidence on Outbound than on previous albums. "Earth Jam" combines world beat with dueling sax and banjo solos, while "Scratch & Sniff" threads Victor Wooten's supremely funky bassline in between contributions from the Love Sponge String Quartet.
Speaking of which, the guests on this album are nothing short of incredible. Guitar god Adrian Belew (King Crimson) contributes to several tracks, and B-3 organist John Medeski's mere presence lends the album street cred.
Not that the Flecktones need much more cred than they already have. With your 13-year-old Phish-head sister and your baby boomer parents both going to their shows in droves, as long as Béla Fleck and the Flecktones curtail their lesser impulses, they're destined to become legends of...world-jazz-bluegrass. Whatever. (Sony)
—Dan Feder
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