Layng Martine III
is best-known for his engineering and mixing work with bassist/producer
Bill Laswell
, so it comes as little surprise that
The Bellwether Project
, a collaboration with
Widespread Panic
bassist
David Schools
and a host of guest musicians, features a similar fusionary sound. It also comes as little surprise that, in addition to various studio aces and guitarist
Pete Droge
, the ensemble cast includes longtime
Laswell
associates like turntablist
DXT
and singer/songwriter
Lori Carson
. And while
Martine
is not quite on his mentor's level as far as attracting world class musical talent, it's clear that he is undoubtedly a product of
's influence. Take the opening
"Field Guide to Snapping,"
for instance: Over a funky, laid-back hip-hop groove driven by
Schools
' subdued bassline,
layers ambient samples, synth squiggles and
's syncopated scratching to create a textured bit of luscious space-funk straight outta the master's textbook. On
"Bell-O-Matic,"
an off-kilter drumbeat and haunting sampled voices provide the backdrop for
Droge
's echoed blues guitar riffs, as
Carson
's folksy vocals provide a catchy hook for listeners to grab hold of. And
"North Fork Two-Step"
is just pure, insane genius, with a countrified rock riff that wouldn't sound out of place on a
Lynyrd Skynyrd
record matched with a funky backbeat,
's timely cutting and chicken-scratching, and horns that don't sound nearly as out of place as they probably should. Not every track on
works-
"Third Ear"
starts with a crafty guitar melody, but ultimately goes nowhere, while the 10-minute ambient epic
"What A Day May Bring"
aims for
's trademark brand of lush minimalism, but winds up being a lengthy snoozer. But the ones that do (especially the dreamy folk-pop of
's
"Little Bird"
) let you know that
's legacy is in good hands. ~ Bret Love