During the Summer of 1999, the New York psychedelically-inclined, free improv trio W.O.O. Revelator (Bonnie Kane on saxophone and flute, Chris Forsyth on guitar, and Ray Sage on drums) toured California. They met Ernesto-Diaz Infante and Pat Harman and invited them to join in on two dates that were recorded. The First Time features material by W.O.O. Revelator and The Ernesto Diaz-Infante Pat Harman Duo, both improvising together with a number of duets showcasing musicians from both sides. The first track, Merger, presents both bands in a very powerful encounter. A little sloppy at first, the piece lifts up when Diaz-Infante starts playing the piano frantically, soon joined by drummer Ray Sage in a battle of epic proportions. Whispy Streaks is a very trippy number by W.O.O. Revelator, with spacey synthesizer and ethereal flute. Other highlights include the Diaz-Infante/Forsyth duo on The Later Zone, a nice clash of strings that announced what direction their CD Left Right (released in June 2000) would take. Bonnie Kane lays down a good duo with Diaz-Infante on guitar, her electronically-processed flute working very well with the latter's not-quite-psychedelic floorings on Kabuki Swell. But when she shifts to the saxophone she comes in way too loud and tonal, not connecting with Diaz-Infante's free ramblings. That moment apart, The First Time makes a good improv album. Ernesto Diaz-Infante shines in yet another context (his versatility will soon become legendary) as W.O.O. Revelator brings a touch of psychedelia in the free form world. ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		Merger
2		Whispy Streaks
3		Elephant Valley
4		Urban Slip
5		Delta Itch
6		Jamble Walk
7		Kabuki Swell
8		The Later Zone
9		Sweeping Edge

	Like us on Facebook
	@SoundHound	Follow