Floratone

Floratone stands as a quartet project uniting four established figures—guitarist Bill Frisell, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and producers/engineers Lee Townsend and Tucker Martine—each already possessing broad professional histories across multiple genres. Throughout the 21st century the group has extended an instinctive, tightly knit method of working together that recalls the creative bond between producer Teo Macero and Miles Davis on landmark recordings such as Bitches Brew and On the Corner, even though the resulting sound occupies an altogether separate domain. The effort originated with a long-anticipated yet relaxed marathon improvisation session between Frisell and Chamberlain that finally took place in 2005. Townsend and Martine then edited and shaped those tapes, inserting loops, samples, and surrounding atmospheric textures before crafting the material into 11 songs. Satisfied with the results, Frisell composed string and horn arrangements and brought in trumpeter Ron Miles, violist/violinist Eyvind Kang, and upright bassist Viktor Krauss of Union Station; Chamberlain further enriched the low end with additional percussion overdubs. The finished recordings appeared as the self-titled album Floratone on Blue Note in 2007.

Frisell and Chamberlain returned to joint improvisation in 2009, this time with Frisell employing extra guitars, effects pedals, and other equipment while Chamberlain assembled several differently tuned drum kits. After the producers received the new tapes, the material yielded 13 compositions. Frisell again enlisted Miles and Kang, added electric and upright bass from Mike Elizondo, and invited producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion to contribute keyboards and samples. Savoy issued Floratone II in March of 2012.