Excavation is an album by guitarist Ben Monder which was recorded in 1999 and first released on the Arabesque label the following year.Jazzlists: Arabesque Jazz discography, accessed May 15, 2018Ben Monder discography, accessed May 14, 2018 It was rereleased on Sunnyside Records in 2006.Sunnyside Records: album entry, accessed May 15, 2018
Reception
The AllMusic review by David R. Adler stated "Guitarist Ben Monder packs this highly original album with a panoply of ideas. The dreamlike voice of Theo Bleckmann gives the music an almost medieval, spooky quality. The compositions couldn't be more modern, however. ... Excavation contains some of the most unique, invigorating music released during the year 2000".
On All About Jazz, Phil DiPietro said "Ben and crew literally unearth layer upon layer of harmonic invention from the tunes and progressions. ... The listener must therefore prepare the ears for some heavy, but certainly not burdensome, lifting as well ... All in all, another extremely strong release from an underrecognized, innovative harmonic master and his henchmen that, so fortunately for us all, calls out for the next".DiPietro, P. All About Jazz Review, accessed May 14, 2018
In JazzTimes, Christopher Porter wrote "Guitarist Ben Monder possesses such prodigious technique that songs can run away from him as he restlessly crams in every chordal variation. And this is mostly a very good thing, especially on Excavation ... Excavation is well worth digging".Porter, C. JazzTimes Review, accessed May 14, 2018
Track listing All compositions by Ben Monder except where noted "Mistral" – 9:12 "Luteous Pangolin" – 5:50 "Ellenville" – 14:55 "Sunny Manitoba" – 4:40 "Hatchet Face" – 16:29 "Etching" – 6:35 "Windowpane" – 11:53 "You Are My Sunshine" (Jimmie Davis, Charles Mitchell) – 3:36
Personnel Ben Monder – guitar Theo Bleckmann – voice Skuli Sverrisson – electric bass Jim Black – drums, percussion
References