It’s about time Boxcutter, aka Northern Irish producer and musician Barry Lynn, started getting the recognition he deserved. Since his early Dubstep material released through Hotflush, or his debut album Oneiric, which came out on the iconic Planet Mu label, he’s managed to create a niche within electronic music which showcases his skills, both as a producer and as a musician. From there, he’s gone on to pass through more dub based influences, and collaborate with the likes of FaltyFL.
He’s just announced a rare performance featuring live drumming, exclusively at Archspace in London on Friday 31st of March, tickets available here and ahead of that, he’s given us a brilliant, exclusive playlist of tunes with (as Barry himself says) a loose theme of cuts from solo albums by players from a jazz and fusion background. For those serious diggers out there, there’s some undiscovered and (in particular) overlooked gems amongst it.
From the playlist, we’re just missing the Pat Metheny track from our YouTube playlist, but we’ve linked in a live version of the track from elsewhere. Give your journey to work, or weekend some fusion chill, and go hunting for these gems at your record stores soon.
Patrick O’Hearn – At First Light (taken from Ancient Dreams, 1985)
Love a lot of the Private Music back catalogue, this one stands out for the lovely fretless playing, and the guy’s very Irish name.
Pat Metheny – Midwestern Nights Dream (from Bright Size Life, 1986)
Very late to Pat’s albums, this is a fairly new discovery for me. This track is off his debut album, quite a few people have recommended to me over the years. Jaco Pastorius on bass throughout this record too!
BM: We could only get hold of this live version, but do check the original out.
Joan Bibiloni – Migas (from El Sur, 2014)
Off a compilation record called “El Sur”. Very tasty 80s fusion, it’s a bit much for some people but I love the drum track and the synth guitar (at least that’s what it sounds like to me).
John McLaughlin – My Foolish Heart (from Electric Guitarist, 1978)
My Dad always had this “Electric Guitarist” LP sitting around, this is a little solo jazz guitar piece towards the end of the record, some lush voicings throughout.
Al Di Meola – Kiss My Axe (from Kiss My Axe, 1991)
Another awesome combo of early 90s digital synthesis and incredible high level fusion guitar. Al is such an inspiration, his right hand picking work is peerless, but above all that he always makes fiery, evocative music.
Tribal Tech – Signal Path (from Tribal Tech, 1991)
Serious band, I’m really into the lead guitarist’s approach, fusion jazz on a strat, full of Hendrix and Jeff Beck influence complete with whammy bar inflections, but all against interesting harmonies and a nice full-on attitude behind it.
Cobham / Khan / Johnson / Scott – Shadows (from ALiveMutherForYa, 1978)
Have a massive soft spot for this type of groove, can sound a bit pedestrian when done by lesser players but this is absolutely top class, the saxophonist lays down some of the most fluid and lyrical stuff I’ve ever heard, so “American” sounding.
Grover Washington – Jammin’ (from Come Morning, 1980)
This one’s a fairly new discovery, never ventured into GW’s 80s material until recently, incredible muted bass groove from Marcus Miller, and Grover’s usual flawless delivery.
Jaco Pastorius – Balloon Song (12-Tone) (from Modern American Music… Period! The Criteria Sessions, 2014)
Taken from his early demo tapes that were released around the time of the Jaco documentary film – the slightly lo-fi edge to it only accentuates how great he was, right from the beginning.
Harvey Mason – Wild Rice (from Marching in the Street, 1975)
Love this entire album, picking this track in particular for Lee Ritenour’s guitar parts, some amazing bends, almost on a country tip.
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