The Night

Before his premature death from a heart attack at age 46, Morphine leader Mark Sandman had consolidated production of the band's next studio album in his loft in Cambridge, Mass., and was also working on mixing a live release by the band. For the studio endeavor, Morphine clung to its trademark sound: Sandman's grave voice and two-string fretless bass (with both strings tuned to the same pitch); Dana Colley's imaginative saxophone; and Billy Conway's groovy drumming. However, more than on past efforts, the band fleshed out that formula with piano, organ, guitars, and other polyphonic instruments, plus the occasional female vocal. (Guests include organist John Medeski, a string section, oud player Brahim Frigbane, and former Morphine drummer Jerome Deupree, who plays in tandem with Conway on some tracks.) Among the highlights are the moody title track; "Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer," a twisted party tune with organ; "A Good Woman Is Hard To Find," as close as Morphine gets to a catchy pop song; "Rope On Fire," a dark, beautiful acoustic guitar ballad with Middle Eastern airs; and the jazzy "Souvenir." A sad and beautiful farewell from one of the most innovative artists of the past decade.