Matt Flinner is probably one of the best and most inventive mandolin players around. His
bluegrass experience has stood him in good stead, but there's far more to his playing than that. He's equally comfortable ranging through
jazz and even a touch of
funk, as he ably demonstrates on
"Caravan/Cissy Strut," where he takes off on delicious angular runs that seem to come from nowhere. He's well-supported by his band, with guitarist
Gawain Matthews taking a very strong role, proving himself to be as creative as the leader. But there's no doubt that it's
Flinner's album. He can range from the delicate, on
"Ice Queen," to down, on
"Shufflebeam," and his treatment of
the Police's
"Walking on the Moon" is wonderfully sensual, stretching out the pseudo-
reggae rhythm to excellent effect. The closest he comes to
bluegrass is
"Walk the Plank," which is a real showcase for his fluid virtuosity, and even then it's more
newgrass than anything traditional. The closer,
"Humdinger," turns out to be a subtle meditation rather than a fast, flourishing piece, but
Flinner really doesn't need to prove anything. There are very few who even come close to his class. ~ Chris Nickson
