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“Asiento” is a live concert recording on which saxophonist Bob Belden leads an all-star cast in a recreation of the classic “Bitches Brew” album, but with the intention of adding drumnbass and Weather Report influences to Miles' original concept. The combination of Miles’ open-ended jams with drumnbass flavored rhythms and a Weather Report interactive ensemble mentality was a risky endeavor, but Belden and his crew pull off this experiment successfully and produce some great music in the process. The idea of a “Weather Report approach” could have gone many different ways, but Belden and the others wisely chose Weather Report’s hyper-syncopated years with Alphonso Johnson, as well as WR’s earliest experimental years, for their influence, and eschewed the more heavy-handed WR of later years. Likewise, the drumnbass rhythms supplied by drummer Guy Licata fit the original Brew bass lines like a glove and nothing sounds forced or contrived. Interestingly enough, the combination of Matt Garrison’s Alphonso influenced bass playing with the Miles style jam sessions often recalls similarly styled bassist Marcus Miller’s work with Miles in the early 80s. Also, the way the Brew tunes are strung together in a live concert also recalls Miles’ classic Fillmore concerts and albums.
These jams/songs are fortunately lengthy and quite free in structure and thus give a lot of room for the musicians to stretch out. Of special interest are the many quiet sections in which the musicians supply minute floating elements, it is in these sections that DJ Logic's subtle noise contributions are able to shine. Every musician is given plenty of room to play long line solos that meander in and out of the mix. The wide open nature of this music makes it hold up well to repeat listens as there is always some new ideas to hear that you may have missed during previous listens. If you liked the original "Bitches Brew" album, or Miles' 70s jam sessions in general, then there is a good chance you will enjoy "Asiento" too. Also, if you enjoy "Asiento", then you may want to check out Animation's follow-up album, "Agemo", on which "Asiento" is given a special 360D headphone mix as well as bonus re-mixes by top named DJs and producers.