The Exchange Sessions:Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid

Artist: Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid

Date Released: Vol. 1 - February 21, 2006 / Vol. 2 - June 6, 2006

Label: Domino

Produced By:

Tracklisting: Vol. 1 Vol. 2
 * 1) Morning Prayer
 * 2) Soul Oscillations
 * 3) Electricity and Drum Will Change Your Mind
 * 1) Hold down the rhythms, hold down the machines
 * 2) Noemie
 * 3) We dream free

Review: A collaboration between musicians, genres and generations, the teaming of Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid is one of infinite promise and exciting results. Steve Reid is one of the few remaining jazz drumming legends. Beginning as a Motown session drummer, Reid has backed an amazing range of artists from James Brown to Sun Ra to Fela Kuti to Miles Davis and on and on, compiling a forte of mammoth proportions. Kieran Hebden is best known for his folktronic work as Four Tet and also as one third of post-rock experimenters Fridge. With Reid on drums and Hebden on electronics/samples/triggers, the duo create an indefinable sound that spits, gurgles, swirls and transports the listener into completely different aural world. Recorded without overdubs or any foreseen arrangements, the excitement of improvisation is strewn throughout keeps the music unpredictable. Tracks are lengthy and usually without any kind of motif or any connecting chorus or riff, which can be good or bad depending on the listener. This is definitely a performance meant to be seen live and does not translate as well in recorded format, but any time you get the chance to have musicians like these team up, it’s worth every second of tape. Mpardaiolo