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Vernon Reid finally follows up his solo debut with Known Unknown, a mere eight years (!) after Mistaken Identity. The template is basically the same: Reid and his longtime bandmates keyboardist Leon Gruenbaum and bassist Hank Schroy (drummer Marlon Browden is new for this recording) set up deceptively simple little heads and then just throw down. Reid gets some amazingly thick tones out of his guitar, and his playing sounds like no one else. Mistaken Identity was graced with some great clarinet blowing, courtesy of Don Byron. Byron sits out this date (although one of the solos in "Outskirts" sure sounds like clarinet), but that just gives Gruenbaum more room to stretch out. Byron's presence is missed, to be sure, but Gruenbaum turns in some absolutely head-spinning solos, often on his own keyboard invention, the Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Chee Peeee. The production is a good bit more straightforward as well: Reid co-produced Known Unknown with engineer Joe Johnson, while the last one was helmed by Reid with Prince Paul and Teo Macero (what a producer lineup!). This album is totally instrumental, whereas the last one had a moment or two with vocals and many samples, and the loopiness and sense of humor Prince Paul brought to the table are largely absent. Interestingly, they try out a couple of covers on this album: Monk's "Brilliant Corners" and Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder," the latter of which is ultimately more successful (it ain't easy doing justice to Monk tunes). DJ Logic joins for "Voodoo Pimp Stroll," one of the album's highlights, along with the beautiful "Time." Known Unknown may not reach the highs of Mistaken Identity, but it's great to hear Vernon Reid's guitar out front again on an all-instrumental album. ~ Sean Westergaard
Live Recording
Audio Mixers: Vernon Reid; Joe Johnson .
Recording information: Studio 900, NY.
Vernon Reid & Masque: Leon Gruebaum (piano, organ, keyboards); Vernon Reid (synthesizer); Hank Schroy (bass instrument); DJ Logic (programming); Marlon Browden.
Personnel: Vernon Reid (guitar, guitar synthesizer); Leon Gruenbaum (piano, organ, keyboards); Marlon Browden (drums).
Down Beat (p.84) - 4 stars out of 5 - "In addition to hard-edged tone and weighty crunch chords, a good portion of Reid's original composition boast memorable melodies."
Vernon Reid & Masque - Known Unknown Songs
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1 | Known Unknown | | | |
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2 | Slouch | | | |
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3 | Brilliant Corners | | | |
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4 | Strange Blessing | | | |
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5 | Outskirts | | | |
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6 | Down and Out in Kigali and Freetown | | | |
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7 | Sidewinder | | | |
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8 | Voodoo Pimp Stroll | | | |
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9 | Time | | | |
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10 | Flatbush and Church | | | |
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11 | Ebow Underground | | | |
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12 | X The Unknown | | | |
Known Unknown Music Review
Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)   Shredding is back!
Vernon Reid, with the help of Steve Vai's Favoured Nations label, has finally put out a cd which shows off his remarkable guitar prowess. Combioning a jazzy groove with subtle funk, this cd is great for those out there, like me, who are so glad that great guitar playing is finally back in favor.Long live shredding!
Submitted by Bill (Northampton, Pa) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Vernon & masque delivers
This is an excellent set by Vernon and the band.It is a melting pot of sound from jazz to fusion with vernons playing immaculate throughout the whole set.The rhythm section is tight and underpins the entire album.I recently saw the band in Toronto and I was not dissapointed.If you like explosive playing over a constantly changing musical landscape this is for you.
Submitted by Junior (Toronto Ont)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A Glimpse Into Vernon's Mind!
I have been a fan of Vernon since his days in Living Color, wow 15 years now. He is an innovative and fun guitarist, and this record lives up to his legacy! I really enjoy the entire thing, front to back, although it is varied and changes quite frequently. It's as if he's merged 3 or 4 genres, and made them all his own.. I highly suggest this if you dig Living Color, Jimi Hendrix, and any other guitar hero that is a little experimental.
Submitted by Brad (Boston, MA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No | Have you heard this album? |  |
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