3 Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

 (10 customer reviews)

The word 'fusion' is used to mean various things.. most often jazz-rock, occasionally world-beat or Indian/jazz or any number of other things. Only rarely does a band require something more inclusive like 'every-damn-thing-at-once-fusion'.. and if there's any group that truly embodies that philosophy, it's Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Cuckoo's Nest was the first Flecktone album made after the departure of keys/harmonica man Howard Levy, which left the others lots of space to fill - in addition to the usual banjo, bass and synth-drum, now they're also using a small arsenal of triggers, loops and samples to layer and echo things as they go along. According to Bela everything was arranged to be performed live, and if you haven't seen this incredible group onstage for yourself, you might have a hard time believing they can really do so many things in real time. But believe me, they can and they do. I have no idea how - my theory so far is possession by aliens that can bend our known...Read more

This is the one! The departure of Howard Levy and his often annoying harmonica (Note: Howard, loved your keyboard playing but that harp had to go!) forced the three remaining 'Tones into a different, jazzier direction than before. Victor's writing really comes into its own on this album (his several tunes here are jaw-droppingly great), and Future Man's synth-drumming style improves exponentially. Technically, the all three are really on fire. Anyone who own's even one Flecktones album needs to get this one.

This CD was recorded right after Howard Levy (piano, harmonica) left the band to stay home more with his family. The band plays over 200 live dates each year! Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, and Future Man (Roy Wooten) decided they were having too much fun to quit. So they became a trio (thus the title of the CD). This album will take you from uplifting jazz type numbers to smooth soothing music to foot-stomping jams. Check it out!