Needless to say, this is a daring effort undertaken by a musician with obvious confidence. With various friends to help out, this organic jazz/funk experiment rocks from the outset. The opening "Loud Party Warning" and Funk E Mo Fo" are chock-full of deep bass grooves (from Reggie Hamilton and Wyzard), punctuating drum fills, and of course, Burnett's sometimes-fiery-sometimes-groovin' leads. "Dick Cavette's Blues" and "The Next Thing" offers up some smokin' progressive jazz/rock with a guest appearance from guitarist Robben Ford, while "Shufflin' Dee" and "Another Slide" create an instant 70s-Jeff Beck Group feel about them.

However, on other tracks such as "Too far Away" and "Tutto Azzurro", Burnett takes a more smooth Hendrix-like approach ala "Castles Made Of Sand". Other guest appearances include jazz great Branford Marsalis on "Family" and the aforementioned "Tutto Azzurro". Carl Burnett successfully combines numerous vibes as a surprisingly cohesive unit, especially considering these songs are unrehearsed. As a matter of fact, I had forgotten that very point while listening to the disc, not realizing it again until reading the promo sheet at the end. Life before Midi is a good effort to be enjoyed by fans of the fusion-style instrumental genre.