Collin Walcott - Works (Vinyl)

Shankar-taught sitarist’s 1988 outing

Wallcott’s interest in Eastern music gave him a unique selling point that, for a while, allowed him to stand alone among jazz musicians. He was the first to tote a sitar, but he also used tabla, having been taught by Ravi Shankar in the early days. A member of several collectives, his work with the folk-jazz combo, Oregon, was a particular highlight, and Walcott would also later work with Miles Davis. Works is an exciting fusion of East-meets-West, and it hits the ground running with a dramatic tabla/electric guitar clash on Scimitar. The mystical influence shines through in Like That Of Sky, which has a vocal drone underlying the horn and sitar. Released in 1988, the whole ensemble is fresh and, despite its analogue approach, should also appeal to leftfield fans of beats and electronica. Vinyl versions of ECM albums are, nowadays, quite rare. However, there is a limited supply of them available.

ECM | 837 276-1

Reviewed by Paul Rigby
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