ROBERT MUSSO'S AXIOMATIC WITH DAVE DREIWITZ/CLAUDE COLEMAN + BILL LASWELL
Axiomatic (MuWorks 75; USA) "Featuring Robert Musso on guitars & production, Dave Dreiwitz on electric bass, Claude Coleman on drums and special guest Bill Laswell on treated bass (one track).
I have always been a sucker for those great power trios of yesteryear like Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience or even AUM (great unknowns from Bay Area circa 1969). Ace guitarist Bob Musso used to lead the amazing Machine Gun which he fronted with Thomas Chapin. Electric bass wiz Dave Dreiwitz has played with Tiny Lights, Ween and Lunar Bear, three amazing bands from the Garden State area. I always dig whatever Musso does in the studio and/or live, but wasn't prepared for this one.
Wow! Musso's trio starts off with solid marching beat while he plays some strong Frippish sustained guitar backed by synth or similar sounding guitar effects. "For the Sky to Clear" features
Bill Laswell on treated bass and his bass sounds warm, wide and hypnotic while Musso plays some swell, mesmerizing sustained guitar way above the waves below.
What should come as no surprise to us DMG hipsters is the playing of under-rated bassist Dave Dreiwitz who also has a dense, powerful sound and is a perfect match for Musso's dynamic guitar and Coleman's masterful drums. Mr. Musso is in especially fine form here playing some blistering leads and solos both heavy in tone and story-like in form, occasionally showing off some selective whammy-bar action.
For those of us can still appreciate the great guitar work of Hendrix, Clapton, Jeff Beck, and even Robert Fripp (sustain-tone-wise), this is a must-have!" - Bruce
Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery
