Ever since the Police folded up in 1984, guitarist Andy Summers has made more
than his fair share of eclectic records. And why not? At least he hasn’t
fallen prey to the almighty commercial dollar like his buddy Sting. Whether
collaborating with far-out visionaries like Robert Fripp or rubbing out his
own flavor of new age instrumental music, Summers has consistently stayed true
to his own textural style — delicately weaving a remarkably unique tone no
matter which idiom it settles into. In recent years the guitarist has paid tribute
to some of his influences and recorded two records filled with the music of
Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. Inspired from the experience, Summers has
released Earth + Sky, an album of original, jazz-flavored forays
resonating with incendiary interplay and even-keeled balance. To make things
deliciously more musical, he is backed by a stellar cast of musicians that includes
drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Abraham Laboriel, keyboardists John Novello
and John Beasley, and saxophonist Katisse Buckingham. The combination is tight,
respectful, and grooving. Catapulting from the timbre of “Above The World”
to the morose “Now I’m Free” and right into the sauciness
of “The Diva Station” is a true sonic joy. The alluring title track,
among several others, captures the band in a roundabout work-out, while “Circus”
and the closing “I Choose You” showcase Summers’ dexterous
touch in an intimate setting. Want to learn more about the vastly underrated
guitarist of the Police? Earth + Sky gives you a nice and well-rounded
crash course in a little over 50 minutes.
~ Shawn Perry
