![[Items]](headless.gif)
Headless Household
Items
Household Ink (CD)
Like groups like Medeski, Martin and Wood, Headless Household's vision of
jazz is one of expanding boundaries and eclecticism. Embodying the word
fusion in its true sense, Items blends a variety of musical styles
(rock, funk, country, blues, 70's fusion, surf, polka . . . ) and wraps it
up in a not-quite-round, not-quite square package labeled "jazz". This
same cut 'n' paste mentality has propelled artists like Beck to
success in the rock world -- it's just that Headless Household, true to their
jazz underpinnings, do it live on acoustic instruments rather than in
their bedroom with a sampler and a four-track (O.K., they do use a sampler
once and a while!). For those who are looking for something new and
challenging in jazz, this album is worth serious consideration. Rather
than 'The Riffs of Parker from A to Z' (which is too often what you get in
mainstream jazz these days), Items offers a jazz alternative that is
alive and vibrant. --Noah Wane