1000 Kilometers

Throughout their long existence, Oregon have consistently performed music that is difficult to categorize. Some of their acoustic ventures, particularly in the group's earlier days, could be considered "world jazz" or "folk-jazz" due to the unusual instrumentation, avoidance of conventional blue notes, and original pieces. On 1000 Kilometers, there are times when the group actually sounds close to Weather Report in the 1970s, particularly when electronics and Paul McCandless' soprano are utilized. But there are also performances that sound far from Weather Report, focusing on Ralph Towner's acoustic guitar, McCandless' other instruments, and the rhythm team of bassist Glen Moore and drummer Mark Walker. The music constantly keeps one guessing, and although McCandless is generally the lead voice in the ensembles, all four musicians make strong contributions. 1000 Kilometers is a fine effort from a unique band. The improvisation by Paul McCandless on the title track was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, and Mark Walker's "Deep Six" was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition. ~ Scott Yanow|