May 2001

Jack West and Curvature
Big Ideas
Ahead Behind

By Jim Ferguson

The progressive, exotic aspects of this recording arise in no small part from this guitarist's fingerstyle, slide-based approach, which he brings to bear on a unique 8-string acoustic with fanned frets. Along with the ensemble's intriguing instrumentation-including drums, cello and marimba-it makes for an adventurous journey through the program's eight originals. And while West's playing isn't especially technical (primarily due to the slide's unwieldy nature), he compensates by infusing his eclectic music with dynamic rhythmic ideas and haunting melodies and moods.