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ANATOMY OF DESIGN
Pat Metheny released Song X as an LP in 1985, a collaboration with free
jazz/harmolodics innovator Ornette Coleman. From the first track, a thirteen-minute
sonic assault called “Endangered Species,” fans either immediately loved or hated
it. One thing was certain, it signaled a shift in Metheny’s otherwise melodic
musical repertoire while evidencing his need to continually test the bounds and
mix the genres of music. In short, it was a watershed album. In 2005, Metheny
decided to remaster and remix the record, taking it from LP to CD. Because vinyl
imposed restrictions, he had had to cut a lot from the first release; this he
restored ...