Vernon Reid & Masque
Known Unknown
The Story
Best known for his work with the band Living Colour, guitarist Vernon Reid, along with a team of innovative and adventurous young musicians, has created the all instrumental, musical thrill ride that is "Known Unknown". You know the sound. Reid's signature scratch-and-growl guitar opens the title track, bursting with energetic and catchy melodies. Then everything takes a sharp turn and you're not sure where you are anymore. You may be riding through the Bitches Brew improvisational freak-out of "Down And Out In Kigali And Freetown." Or you might be exploring "The Outskirts" of surf-guitar and modal jazz. Maybe you're at the quiet intersection of "Flatbush and Church" where you can take a breather and chill. Things look familiar. You hear familiar sounds, see familiar shapes and colors, but it's all coming down in a way that's new. It's exhilarating. You've arrived in the Unknown. Vernon Reid is the chief architect behind this innovative sonic landscape. Sometimes using his guitar as a paintbrush, evoking small melodic nuances, sometimes using it as a jackhammer, obliterating everything in its path, Vernon Reid is part guitar player and part visionary artist.
The Music
05:04 | Known Unknown | Instrumental |
04:15 | The Slouch | Instrumental |
02:40 | Brilliant Corners | Instrumental |
05:10 | Strange Blessing | Instrumental |
03:50 | Outskirts | Instrumental |
02:54 | Down And Out In Kigali And Freetown | Instrumental |
02:34 | Sidewinder | Instrumental |
06:01 | Voodoo Pimp Stroll | Instrumental |
04:47 | Time | Instrumental |
03:46 | Flatbush And Church | Instrumental |
00:39 | Ebow Underground (Excerpt) | Instrumental |
06:03 | X The Unknown | Instrumental |
The Artists
Vernon Reid | Guitar, Guitar Synth, Production, Mixing |
Leon Gruenbaum | Organ, Piano, Casio, Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee |
Hank Schroy | Bass |
Marlon Browden | Drums |
DJ Logic | Special Guest on "Voodoo Pimp Stroll" |
Joe Johnson | Production, Engineering, Mixing |
Dave McNair | Mastering |
Dave Brubaker | Package Design |
Recorded at Studio 900, New York. |