Search - Vernon Reid, Masque :: Known Unknown

Masque Jams!

Music Lover | Boston, MA | 08/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got hooked to Vernon Reid & Masque from their Mistaken Identity album. So I had high expectations for Known Unknown, and I was not dissappointed. So far, this is my favorite album of 2004.



If you're a fan of a fusion of rock, jazz, acid jazz and funk...then you'll dig this stuff. I think the band sounds tighter than Mistaken Identity. Leon Gruenbaum sounds great on keys, Hank Schroy sounds improved on bass. Both have been with Vernon since the Mistaken Idenity album. Marlon Browden (ex-John Scofield) is new on drums and is a great addition keeping things tighter than on Mistaken Identity. And naturally Vernon sounds super charged playing jazzy, melodically, outside the ear, and sometimes fast. This album is all instrumental and includes two jazz standards: Monk's Brilliant Corners and Lee Morgan's Sidewinder.



Get it now! :)"

Brilliance beyond measure

F.N. Wright | Philadelphia, PA United States | 05/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is amazing. A good word for it, among others, is "adventurous." The whole band kicks a$$. Drums are tight and amazingly kinetic, keys are alternatively tasteful and crazy... the technique and overall level of musicianship laid down by this band is outstanding and of the highest order. This disc showcases alot of Vernon's "other" sides. Alot more of a jazz feel to this than on MI -- heads are played unison by guitar/keys then break into improv sections then coming back to the head; these are clearly composed pieces for the most part.
Vernon uses the guitar synth very tastefully and often combines a synth-generated sound with his straight guitar sound to great effect. Of course he also just plain out shreds his tailfeathers off plenty on several cuts.
Vernon sounds better than ever on this album. He really lays it all out and puts to rest any accusations of sloppiness or whatever else naysayers want to level. This is VR at the top of his game. He proves himself worthy (if we didn't already know) of comparison to all the greats of jazz-fusion or any style you care to name.
Very experimental overall with all the players using different sounds and really feeling each other. This is gonna be awesome to see live!
But the bottom line is -- GO GET THIS CD! I've listened to this over and over again since release day and have only growm to love it more and more. And when I'm not listening to it, it's in my head and makes me yearn for it. I like it even better than Mistaken Identity and that CD is tremendous.
I could go on and on about this disc but words don't do it justice. If you're still reading this and your interest is the least bit piqued, just get it."

Brilliant Colour

Blake Thompson | Denver, CO United States | 08/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vernon Reid is best known as guitarist for Living Colour, but he was a fixture in NYC fusion bands before that. His catalog ranges from hip-hop to metal to jazz, a truly adventurous and uniquely skilled musician.



Known Unknown drops the sampling and hip-hop beats of Reid's last solo project, Mistaken Identity, staying closer to the old Vernon Reid Power Trio fusion/jazz-metal feel. The set includes covers of Thelonious Monk's "Brilliant Colors" and Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder," seemlessly weaving scorching guitar riffs over classic charts.



Comparisons to Jimi Hendrix are inevitable and for once well-deserved. Vernon Reid is an amazing guitarist and his new album shows he continues to stretch his limits.

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