Vernon Reid & Masque

Vernon Reid & Masque is the project of guitarist Vernon Reid that blends rock, jazz, hip-hop and experimental elements; Masque began in the mid-1990s.

Vernon Reid is the guitarist and leader associated with Masque and is also the founder and guitarist of Living Colour. Public collaborations and credits referenced in the reviews include work with Public Enemy, Mick Jagger, Carlos Santana, The Roots, and Tracy Chapman; Reid has produced Grammy-nominated albums for Salif Keita and James Blood Ulmer and has composed for films such as Johnny Mnemonic and Five Fingers.

The single DeBaser review (piergiovanni1) praises Vernon Reid & Masque's 2006 work Other True Self for its improvisational freedom and eclectic blending of rock, jazz, hip-hop and technology. The reviewer highlights Reid's technical skill and the quartet's collaborative compositions and covers. The record and live set are presented as exploratory, spontaneous, and melody-conscious compared with previous efforts.

For:Fans of experimental guitar, listeners who enjoy rock/jazz/hip-hop fusion, and readers interested in live improvisational performances.