Marco Benevento's new solo album, Me Not Me, explores a wide range of instrumental covers as well as a few original compositions.  Me Not Me is Benevento's second solo album, following 2008's Invisible Baby, and is the first on his new record label, The Royal Potato Family.  Reed Mathis (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Tea Leaf Green)  plays electric bass while Andrew Barr  (The Slip), and Matt Chamberlain (Tori Amos, Critters Buggin') split the drumming duties.

Benevento traded his overdriven Hammond and Wurlitzer sound featured in his work  with the Benevento-Russo Duo to focus on acoustic piano for this album.  He still successfully applies many  effects and continues to employ a  number of circuit-bent toys that reflect Benevento's innovation and sense of humor.  The original composition “Now They're Writing Music” refers to Benevento's circuit-bent toys and is a prime example of the musical possibilities of circuit bending.

Me Not Me includes covers of songs by artists as diverse as My Morning Jacket, Deerhoof, and Led Zeppelin.  All of the covers are truly original interpretations showcasing Benevento's gift for inspired jazzy improvisation around familiar rock and pop progressions.  Me Not Me reveals a different side of Marco Benevento from the Duo while retaining all the creative and technical elements that make his playing with the Benevento-Russo Duo successful.

Ian Gowing - KUPS Staff