In the early '90s, when computer-assisted composers started straying from metronomic dance beats into free-form territory, scene observers posited that electronic music was becoming the new jazz. No artist has done as much to cement that connection as Meat Beat Manifesto maestro Jack Dangers. His early work merged hip-hop beats with industrial-rock elements, pioneering the drum-'n'-bass movement. After dabbling with live instruments, Dangers debuted an innovative approach on 1998's Actual Sounds and Voices, jamming with members of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters and sampling snippets from these sessions. On this year's At the Center, he repeats this method with a new group, ornamenting his hip-hop breakbeats with soulful organ melodies and elaborate flute solos. Jazz content aside, MBM's live show won't be improvisation-intensive, because it will be playing in synch with a high-definition video presentation. However, the set list will be career-comprehensive, which means that during the course of the concert, Dangers will likely rap, drop techno grooves and even play the bass clarinet.
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