Elliott Sharp’s Terraplane ‎– Secret Life

"... this is the real blues of the 21st century." (Mike Shanley, Jazztimes)

It is not all that long ago, that guitarist, saxophonist and composer, Elliott Sharp, was one of the protagonists in New York’s Downtown Scene, hanging around in such clubs as the Knitting Factory, the Kitchen or Tonic. The innovation of this biotope, the achievements between Noise and the Postmodern dominated Jazz and the likes for over two decades. Following 9/11, only few have regained this language. Elliot Sharp is definitely one of them.

Sharp has written a new chapter for Terraplane with this new album. The album sounds more traditional than the band’s previous CDs. Sharp has paid more attention to song structure. But the line-up is also different. Following the death from cancer of long-time saxophonist Sam Furnace last year, Alex Harding plays baritone saxophone, and Sharp himself takes over the tenor sax. Rounding off the horn arrangements is Curtis Fowlkes (Lounge Lizards, Jazz Passengers) on trombone. Lance Carter, who knows Sharp from Raw Meat, is on drums. Bass is played by the avant-garde legend, Dave Hofstra, known from such bands as The President and the Microscopic Septet. Behind the microphone is Charlie Mingus’ heavyweight son, Eric Mingus, one of the greatest blues singers of our day, and poet Tracie Morris from the Black Rock Coalition. Terraplane is more than just a vehicle for Elliott Sharp. It is a New York all-star band. “My Blues are New York Blues and, at the same time, extraterrestrial Blues. I don’t want it connected to specific places. Nonetheless, all of the musicians are from New York. The grooves and accents set by the musicians in their soli are related to New York. Terraplane is becoming more popular. As such, I have more opportunities to perform on stage with this band. What I love about Terraplane is that so many of the aspects of my work come together in this band. I don’t want to revive historical Blues, but to play music that feels alive.”

Track Listing:
1. Highway Null - 1:38   2. Clandestiny - 4:33   3. Take My Leave - 6:14   4. Nobody Know - 5:52   5. Blue State 10:42   6. USA Out Of NYC! - 9:45   7. Prime Crime - 3:25   8. Crackertown Two-Step - 4:49   9. They Say We Is - 8:23   10. Edifice Wrecked - 6:41   11. On Down - 1:16