VOLUME XXXII, No. 6 - APRIL 2005 Bee Speed are a trio based in Nashville featuring electric banjo, bass and drums. Perfunctory comparisons to the Flecktones aside, their debut record showcases the band´s influences, with interesting blends of rock, jazz, latin and world music (some tunes reminded me of the trebly, jangly guitars in African pop music), with hints of bluegrass. Charles Butler´s banjo technique sounds more like Pat Metheny than Earl Scruggs, but that´s not a put down - he plays very cleanly, and gets a very full tone out of his modified Nechville. The CD is a mix of Butler´s funky originals and several covers (Chick Corea´s Spain, Billy Cobham´s Red Baron, a Bach piece, and a Telecaster-sounding version of Ground Speed). All in all, an auspicious start. For more info go to www.beespeed.net

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