Blue Note Records presents FLORATONE, a unique studio collaboration between drummer Matt Chamberlain (Fiona Apple, Tori Amos), guitarist Bill Frisell, and producers Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Laura Veirs) & Lee Townsend. An experiment in musical democracy, the album features eleven stunning, groove-driven soundscapes that are best described as futuristic roots music. Special guests include the bassist Viktor Krauss, cornetist Ron Miles, and violinist/violist Eyvind King.Guitarist Bill Frisell and his Seattle-based confreres have reached a point where their atmospheric, group-oriented, laboratory-style evocations of Americana can be approached less as experiments than works in an established sub-genre. Floratone, which introduces prolific L.A. pop drummer Matt Chamberlain to the mix, started as a series of duets between him and fellow electronics maven Frisell. Their work was processed by engineers Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend, who passed it back for further tweaks and embellishments, including Ron Miles's plaintive horn. The prevailing quality is one of stillness in motion, but Frisell's involvement in toxic blues and early country cut through the minimalist and Copland-esque touches, and the rich melodies make individual songs stand out. --Lloyd Sachs
