ARC, Vol. 1 is a collection of
Elliott Sharp's early-'80s recordings with a variety of small groups (some including
Bill Laswell,
Bobby Previte, and
Olu Dara). As such, it contains several of
Sharp's rawest and most intriguing works; he experiments by bringing semi-awkward jazz and avant-garde ideas to the rock guitar, ending up with odd combinations of energy and intellectual insight which are usually difficult to reconcile. ~ John Bush