This CD reissue brings back material that guitarist
Larry Coryell recorded for the Novus subsidiary when it was run by Arista. Most of the set matches
Coryell with fellow guitarists
John Scofield and
Joe Beck in acoustic trios, two duets and one overdubbed solo performance. The variation of moods and the jazz-oriented material make this summit meeting a success even if the guitarists tend to sound more distinctive on their electric counterparts; after about 20 minutes of similar sounding acoustic guitars, it is difficult not to doze off. Expanding the original program are four
Coryell solo acoustic performances that were originally included in the Arista Novus LP
European Impressions. Once again, they are well played but primarily of interest to guitarists. [Originally released in 1978,
Tributaries was reissued on CD in 2004 and includes bonus tracks.]