And now for something completely different: rock veterans Terry Bozzio and Billy Sheenan have joined forces, and made an album together. Bozzio, (Zappa, UK, Missing Persons, and his most recent project Bozzio Levin Stevens) is known for his preferences to experiment. Sheenan (David Lee Roth and Mr Big) has also made some jazzy records, but his rock past still puts a stigma on his name.

The title Nine Short Films, is a well chosen one, since it sounds like a cult kinda film-noir soundtrack. Drum and bass oriented (of course) with a minor role for rare guitars, keyboards, and vocals.

Although the spoken or whispered vocal lines don’t draw much attention, the mystique lyrics deserve to be noticed.

Mostly when drum and bass take lead parts, the result is pretty soulless, as often a lot of computers are also involved. This time with the manual approach, and the incredible craftsmanship in combination with the musical experience guarantee a very tense atmosphere.

People who like a mix of King Crimson, Tom Waits, and ColosseumII (without Gary Moore): go lie on a couch and put on this CD. You’ll get high without any drugs.