C.J. Boyd – Aerial Roots (Music Review)
By Andrew Duncan • Mar 25th, 2010 • Category: Categories, Instrumental, ReviewsC.J. Boyd
Aerial Roots
Joyful Noise
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Links:
C.J. Boyd: http://www.myspace.com/cjboyd
Joyful Noise: http://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/
It is rare to have a bassist feel such prominence within the world that lies just beyond the jazz landscape. Sure Mingus and William Parker come to mind, but jazz is not even an issue with Aerial Roots beyond simple analogous association. What C.J. Boyd does is create a musical climate of ambience and gentle experiments in the matter of three songs that stretch time to just under an hour.
Spaced out thoughts and easy music conversation, Boyd sometimes sound Chicago when bands like Karate and Dianogah used to walk the streets, while other times he goes beyond simple composition with an accomplished stance to his bass technique.
“We Know Time” is exciting in its simplistic instrumental structure, but you end up feeling like you want to float higher and higher. “Pensive Pez” is that refreshing feeling when you are completely aware of the air you breath. Natural while being exploratory, this brief moment will have you sitting back and enjoying the relationship.
There is some meandering involved on the 15 minute “Everytime I Don The Ski Mask.” But the subtle layering of string on string that builds strength to this song just before it drifts out into the stratosphere.
C.J. Boyd is as expressive as he is talented. Aerial Roots proves his vision to push simplicity into another realm that is filled with beauty without being overtly boastful in presentation.
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Andrew Duncan is a journalist who has migrated to the forces of academia. He has written for various publications including Chord, Heckler, Readyset...Aesthetic, and a vast array of alternative press contributions. When not roaming the streets of Indianapolis, he is either addicted to KXCI, making music, or striving to watch every film listed on IMDB.
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