CD Review: Scott Heustis Group - Ushante and Live at Spincycle

Ensemble: Scott Heustis Group
Label: Redline Park

Featuring:

Scott Heustis (guitar)
Breeze Smith (drums, percussion)
Jeff Schwartz (upright/electric bass)
Robert Leng (alto sax, tenor sax, keyboards)

Here are two great releases, Ushante and Live at Spincycle from the Scott Heustis Group on the Redline Park label, an online “net” label that is a subscription-based Internet music label featuring adventurous, experimental and innovative music from the Los Angeles area. The Scott Heustis Group features some of LA’s best improvisers and each of these recordings were done live, are completely improvised, and show-off what these extremely capable musicians can do.

Ushante includes eleven tracks and runs just about an hour. The titles are mostly humorous and add to the playfulness of the music. The laughter and the pseudo Miles Davis “between take banter” of Scott and band also gives you insight to the fact that they are happy to be there and to be making music together. While serious, they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. The chemistry of the ensemble is evident and there is a deep level of listening going on. Never does the music seem to erupt into a free-for-all, noise-fest. Each player shows mature restraint. Stand out tracks for me are the opening track “Enter The Bagman” and “Translucent Geometry”. “Enter The Bagman” is a guitar and drum duet that starts off with Scott playing his guitar is quirky and melodic and the track builds with a thoughtful, angular, momentum. “Translucent Geometry” is a very successful ballad. Robert Leng plays some nice keys on the track and adds a nice texture to the ensemble. Jeff Schwartz bass playing is commanding and Breeze Smiths drums are supportive and always seem to be the right thing at the right time. The group never devolves into mere showing off.

Live at Spincycle includes seven tracks and comes in around thirty-one minutes. Guitarist/bandleader, Scott Heustis’ sound is reminiscent of Frank Zappa/Adrian Belew at times and the overall group sound is reminiscent of Tim Berne’s Science Friction at others. The music on this recording is also a bit edgier compared to the Ushante recording, partially due to the fact that Jeff Schwartz is playing electric bass instead of the upright. The vibe of the music on this session is a more overall rock & roll sound. The group has some great moments and there is again, definitely some deep listening going on. Saxophonist, Robert Leng and percussionist Breeze Smith are also very complimentary and are able to add their ideas sympathetically and the right amount of firepower when it is called for. Highlights for me included track 5, "Subatomic Courtship Ritual" (which features a great sax and drum intro) and track 7, Dilemma Darwin, a moody piece that has an interesting arc.

I can recommend both of these recordings of the Scott Heustis Group. The band is made up of musically sensitive, veteran players that know how to listen and how provide interesting information to the musical dialogue. Redline Park's business model, with their subscription based format of distribution, is interesting. For improvised and experimental music that doesn't generate a lot of revenue, this might be a good way to get the music out there and generate some income for these deserved artists.