It's been cool to see how many musicians are doing interesting things during the times of Covid-19. A lot of streamed shows and other cool ways to reach fans. And I imagined this time might be a boon for improvisational artists, especially those who need just the one instrument. Might there be an explosion of wonder?

Trey Gunn Firma/Punkt (7d Media)

Yes.

Back on March 16 and 17, Trey Gunn recorded these two albums. Firma is much more languid and meditative. It's the kind of album you'd expect from a guy who has played with King Crimson, scored movies and then some. Punkt is a series of (mostly) short, prickly pieces that sound a lot like Aphex Twin on guitar. The experimental side of the Richard James experience, with lots of lovely jagged edges.

Gunn has a knack for melody, whether he's indulging in the obvious beauty of a line or turning it inside out and upside down to figure out what makes it tick. Firma is, by far, the easier listen. But Punkt contains some of my favorite musical moments of this year. "Unpredictable" hardly begins to capture the sprightly capriciousness of these songs.

In every crisis, some fail and some rise to the occasion. Here's to hoping Gunn finds a few more evenings conducive to emptying his brain. These albums are a testament to the overpowering strength of art. Oh, and they're lots of fun, too.

Jon Worley