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This disc is
filled with the purest, sweetest collection of bluegrass you’ll ever hear. Béla Fleck is
truly one with his strings be they of the banjo, sitar, steel or paradise. The
musicianship here is stellar and the variety of exotic instruments and styles included is
mind-blowing. There are steel drums, tabla, and Futureman, Roy Wooten, on his synth-axe
drumitar. The bass line is strong and fluid and the horn section is
incredible.
This collection is mostly instrumental, but there are some
wonderful vocal tracks woven throughout, including “A Moment So Close” featuring Shawn
Colvin and some tuvan throat singing by Ondar. “Aimum” is a rollicking number featuring
Royel and Colvin on vocals and one of the best conversations between a banjo and sax that
I’ve ever had the pleasure of overhearing.
“Lover’s Leap” is upbeat and
unique, laced with some subtle, haunting vocals by Rita Sahain. “Shuba Yatra” has an an
exotic accent and opens with a fabulous alto flute solo followed by some great sax.
With the all-star cast of musicians featured here, you truly can’t go
wrong with Outbound. After all, the train’s destination is “a better place.”
