What do you think of when you hear the word "supergroup"? GTR? Asia? The Firm? Powerstation? All of those groups had their moments but I never really thought they were "super." Makes you wonder what happens, doesn't it? Several great artists get together and, despite expectations, the result falls far below the sum of the respective parts. Did the egos get in the way? Did everybody hold back so as to not step on anybody else's toes? Maybe one musician dominated to the detriment of the project. In any event, disappointment (for the listener anyway) is the usual result.
Well, I have one word for you: Tuatara. Remember that name, and go buy their music. You will in no way be disappointed.
Tuatara is a supergroup of sorts. Founding members included Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey (REM), drummer/percussionist Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees), Craig Flory and Dave Carter (horns), Kevin Hudson (bass), and percussionist Elizabeth Pupo-Walker. I first heard of them on a public radio segment. Always on the lookout for new instrumental music, I went out the very next day and picked up Trading With The Enemy. The music resonated me in the strongest of ways. With jazz, rock, and film score elements, the band reminded me of a larger scale version of Morphine (without vocals). It's the kind of stuff that's very difficult to categorize. Always a good thing in my book.
Last night, instead of being a productive writer, I spent 90 minutes listening to Josh Hathaway interview Barrett Martin on the B-Sides Concept Album Radio Show. Josh began the show by admitting that he was "over the moon excited" about his guest. Rightfully so. Not only is Martin a great musician, he's a fabulous interview. I was so jazzed after the show that I now want to buy every single Tuatara record that I don't own, plus everything else Martin has to offer on his label, Fast Horse Recordings.
One of the most interesting things Martin had to say came in response to the question of where his inspiration comes from. The answer: everywhere. Just check out this essay on Martin's solo record The Painted Desert. You'll see that music can indeed come from everywhere:
The foundation of this record is Rhythm and its form is Spirit, experienced and interpreted through my travels around the globe, and recorded in the desert. It is my sincerest hope that you will hear these landscapes within these twelve compositions. Each has a story behind it; you can be the storyteller.
Article comments
1 - Mary K. Williams
Are you trying to make everyone broke? : )
2 - Mark Saleski
apparently.
3 - Josh Hathaway
There really can be no better use of one's funds. I've yet to hear anything I didn't like from Fast Horse; nothing. I know I come across as a hopeless Fanboy, but I don't like everything. I do love what Barrett's been doing and the artists he's been introducing me to. Blow your minds and check out the Rahim Al Haj disc. Amazing.
Mark, I'm sorry to have killed your productivity but I'm glad you enjoyed the evening as much as I did. I've gotten a lot of great feedback from the folks who have listened. I hope everyone will go check that interview out.
4 - Josh Hathaway
I should also mention that I love Trading With The Enemy. PCH is my favorite cut on the album.
5 - Mark Saleski
my favorite is "The Streets of New Delhi"...love those horn blasts.
6 - Josh Hathaway
Those big blasts of horn are quite terrific. That's another favorite of mine. There aren't many songs I don't like, but "PCH" is my #1.
7 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I'm sorry... Tuatara maybe good(I don't really know because I haven't given them longer than 30 seconds) but how could you can you ever question the almighty Powerstation?? For f*ck's sake man, anyone of their songs smoked Duran Duran. They were funk & power in a time of pure boredom. They truly paved their own path...
8 - Pico
I got this record about five years ago and forgotten all about it. Yeah, now that you brought it up, it's worth a fresh listen. Amazingly good stuff of the kind that you wouldn't expect from this crew. It does sound a bit like a movie score, but a damned fine one.
9 - Josh Hathaway
I gave it a fresh listen yesterday. They've made some marvelous records and this is one of my favorites.