The same lineup that made the band's previous reunion album, 1977's
When Scopes Collide, came together again for this surprise 1990 release, wryly subtitled "We Ain't Dead Yet." It's stronger than its predecessor. As in the previous set, there are covers (of
the Coasters' "Down in Mexico" and
Duke Ellington's "Wild Man"). Here we also get
Abdullah Ibrahim's "African Market Place,"
Don & Dewey's "Jungle Hop," and
the Music Machine's 1966 hit "Talk Talk." And a couple more styles are brought under the
Kaleidoscope umbrella: flamenco and klezmer. In true
Kaleidoscope tradition, the arrangements are full of exotic instruments and the standard of musicianship is high. Practically anyone looking to expand his or her musical horizons would do well to give
the Kaleidoscope a try.
–
Stephen Raiteri, Rovi