What we have here is the ninth solo album by Japan bassist Mick Karn. Whilst Mick is mostly known for his time in Japan, he is also an artist. His music is often created to go together with his art pieces or gallery exhibitions.
Incredible bass player as he is, this album goes from funk, jazz, to atmospheric, ambient pieces. While this is by no means a get up and groove record, it is a great relaxing piece to listen to after a stressful day. Mostly instrumental pieces – though some tracks do have looped vocal as on Atlantic B-Boot or a spoken word style on Never Thought. I think Mick either plays or samples all instruments on the album, although I am sure there is a physical drummer on at least one track even though it is not credited.
So would the everyday Joe buy this if he had it in his grubby mits? No, he would not. You either have to be interested in Mick himself, a collector of Japan related material, or a fan of avant garde ambient jazz. I myself am a fan of his bass style so I am weird enough to have bought this.
5/10 from The Grooveman.
