Elliott Sharp - Suspension of Disbelief (2001)

Elliott Sharp is one composer/performer from the "downtown" New York scene who knows no borders -- free jazz, funk, blues, contemporary classical, post rock, electronica, and any number of amalgamations of styles crop up in his work. A cornerstone in the composers work, Suspension of Disbelief showcases his virtuosity in every form he adopts, masters, and mutates. The results of this project for John Zorn's Tzadik label incorporate the composer's instrumental skills on electric and acoustic guitars, eight-string guitar-bass, fretless bass, saxophones, clarinets, adapted zither, computers, and analog synthesizer. Heavy deployment of avant-jazz approaches and an overall dark atmosphere on the album comes across like a distorted interpretation of New York electronica and abstract drum'n'bass, as much as the avant-jazz Sharp is best known for. Of the 12 short pieces, standout tracks include "Coil of Ticking Towers"; "Theme Noir"; "Little India"; and the awesome closing track, "His Holy Prepuce," which in many ways summarizes his postmodern approach in one slap of ecstatic, groovy noise. © Martin Walters