Supergenerous - S/T - CD

1 Cd

Super sessioneers Kevin Breit (guitar) and Cyro Baptista (percussion) have recorded and worked with everyone from Holly Cole, Cassandra Wilson, and K.D. Lang to Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, and John Zorn. But none of their credits can prepare you for the sonic shindig of their debut as Supergenerous. Using their collection of guitars, otherworldly percussion, and original instruments, the pair make fiery, joyous, highly improvisational music that is also quite mad.

Recalling the Latin Playboys, but with a much wider stylistic palette, SG's songs are full of lonely vistas, strange sendups, and utter weirdness that is refreshing. Like High Plains Drifters lost in time, SG work the theme of dislocation with such song titles as "Dreamin of a Train" and "God's Parking Lot." They turn "Caravan/Camel, Sand and Caravan" into an unrecognizable improv, and feature Cassandra Wilson on an earthy but ultimately unmoving "Home on the Range." Better is the 22nd-century boogie of "Sao Paolo Slim," the Mexicali romance of "A Sigh in a Shiver," and the freak mambo of "Marisa O'Brien." The album closes with a wonderful rendition of "Love Is All Around," a.k.a. the Mary Tyler Moore Show theme. As Breit snappily unveils the familiar melody, Baptista surrounds him with an atmospheric barrage of oddball scratches, zings, and hand jives. It's a magical end to a curious, creative, and unique album.