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The idea of a legendary rock guitarist
playing jazz music might make fans of his former group run for
the exit. If so, they have not really paid attention to ex-Police
guitarist Andy Summer's solo career. His outings have been drawn
from jazz styles but they are also accessible to the point where
fans of the Police can recognize some familiar pop elements,
guitar notwithstanding . The X Tracks is a compilation
from Summers' recent albums, half of which are mainly rock interpretations
of jazz standards by Wayne Shorter ("Ruby My Dear")
Charles Mingus ("Porkpie Hat"), and Thelonious Monk
("Footprints," "Round Midnight"). On those
and on his own originals ("Big Thing," "Think
of One"), Summers delivers some dazzling performances through
his atmospheric, textured guitar lines. And he does a nice trick
in roping in several guest players including Herbie Hancock,
Q-Tip, Debbie Harry, and former cohort Sting. Those who wondered
whatever happened to the other guys in the Police should refer
to this set.
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