Don Scott & Jean Martin

Smartly synthesizing soundscapes and swing is Doing Science, a short (35 minute) exercise in tone dislocation and consolidation. Co-leaders guitarist Don Scott and drummer Jean Martin attempted similar audio experiments 15 years ago, which have now been refined with contemporary studio technology and additional musicians. With Martin adding remote circuit breakers, synths and electronics and Scott harp, keyboards and electronics, the sonic architecture is further built up from Mackenzie Longpre’s steady drum ruffs, Dan Fortin’s overdubbed electric bass pulse and acoustic bass accents and Michael Davidson’s patterning vibraphone sustain.

Throughout vibe resonation and guitar frails frequently mate to illuminate melody and lyricism on tracks which otherwise chug and undulate with nearly opaque pressure projected by thickened keyboard washes and drones. Harp glissandi perform a similar function on “Bite the Garnish”, while “Escaped Electronics” expresses the most concentrated wave form interface.

This is clearly group music where sound enhancers such as guitar frails, keyboard washes and electric bass pacing don’t stand out but contribute to the desired group flow. So the key to the disc is how moods from atmospheric (“A Guy on Fire Running Backwards in Slow Motion”) to electronically rhythmic (“Prattle”) are expressed without fracturing the band’s sonic vision.

Listening to the seven tracks may not confirm that the five are Doing Science. Instead what they’re obviously involved with is creating sound art.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Flicker Fusin Threshold 2. Farming 3. A Guy on Fire Running Backwards in Slow Motion 4. Escaped Electronics 5. Doing Science 6. Prattle 7. Bite the Garnish (for David Lynch)

Personnel: Don Scott (guitar, guitar synth, keyboards, harp, bass, electronics); Jean Martin (trumaphone, caliphone, synths, drums electronics); Michael Davidson (vibraphone); Dan Fortin (bass, electric bass) and Mackenzie Longpre (drums)