Eugene Oregon's jazz-rock outfit, Facelift, is "more than cosmetically arranging the face of Jazz and Rock" (Register Guard). The music embraces basic elements of improvisation and structure, constantly blurring the line between the two. Facelift composes eighty percent of their material and each member writes and adds to the band's varied sound. They all have unique musical experiences and ideas on what it's all about with respect to musical diversity. "Our sound is informed by: Jazz, Bop, Latin, Funk, Progressive Rock, and World Music, yet we don't feel indebted to any style. We don't play 'normal' jazz standards, unless you consider obscure fusion works from the likes of: Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea's Return To Forever, or Gong to be standards. We like to cover stuff we know no one else is doing." The use of Hammond Organ, analogue synthesizers, electric piano, and guitar synth opens up futuristic territory, yet remains rooted in solid turf creating plenty of space for musical expression. Learning to groove and improvise with real feeling in unusual time signatures has been crucial to Facelift's development. "We try to keep our compositions energetic and spontaneous." They also play some gentle ballads which prove to be integral for group dynamics.
