n 2 Drink Minimum, the same trio that created 1993's excellent Long to Be Loose is captured live at New York's 55 Bar, a little dive that remains Krantz's regular haunt as of this writing. Stylistically, the two records are quite similar, though Long to Be Loose is subtler and more polished. The tendency on these rough-edged live tracks is toward all-out funk assaults, extended solos, and high-speed ensemble riffing. Krantz's guitar playing is raw and heavily rock-influenced, yet his touch is extraordinarily precise and his compositions are derivative of no one. Bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger can create rhythmic hurricanes when called upon, but they're also capable of great sensitivity. Essential listening for fans of gritty, non-commercial fusion music. ~ David R. Adler|

Rovi