'MISTICO' CD REVIEW
Written By: Steve Bloom

In the considerable hands of Charlie Hunter, the guitar is aliving, breathing thing. For his next trick, this seven-string axeman return to the trio format, giving Medeski, Martin and Wood a run for their jam-band money. Joined by Erik Deutsch on keyboards and Simon Lott on drums, Hunter's 17th solo joint entices, swings, funks, and surely jams. What's not to like when Hunter announces smartly constructed tunes, Deutsch drives hom the point often on piano and Lott syncopates the hot rhythms? The opener "Lady" sets the upbeat tone, followed by similarly catchy numbers like "Speakers Built In," "Wizard Sleeve" and "Chimp Gut." Hunter allows his mates plenty of space to improvise, such as wehn Lott solos on "Balls" and "Spoken Word." Doing his best Medeski impression, Deutsch is a revelation, complimenting Hunter every step of the way on various keyboards. If there's a down moment, it's the seven-minute-plus title track, which slow the pace to a crawl, though Hunter's psychedelic excursion does hint of Hendrix. I happen to prefer Charlie Hunter playing with saxophones, but this trio hits virtually all the right notes for 54 solid minutes.