Critic's Review
Matthew Robinson, All Music Guide
In performance, Andrew Barr's Carnivale percussion and brother Brad's wild guitar stabs and muted chops, mixed and enhanced by sharp DiMeola-esque riffs rolled over bassist Marc Friedman's solid rhythm in ever-burgeoning scapes of salsa, blues, soul, and the Grateful Dead. On album, the trio demonstrates a similar mix of confidently handled sounds. The featured sax work of tenor Timo Shanko and sopranos Gus Zuesing and Daiske add a fluid vocalism to many of the tracks, but the brass and human vocals sometimes ramble a bit and get in the way of the tighter base rhythms and overall enjoyment. Though there is at times little demarcation between pieces, the talent and maturity of the overall production is undeniable. In addition to the aforementioned comparisons, Gecko is also reminiscent of Traffic, Santana, and the Police. However, whether they come from "Spice Groove" or "Honey Melon," the trio is always able to slip in their own special flavors.
