Extreme jazz, avant funk, liquid Americana & Skronk blues.
Released on Cryptogramophone in 2003.

Scot Ray - trombone, compositions
Jeff Gauthier - electric violin
Nels Cline - electric guitar
Steuart Liebig - contrabassguitars
Alex Cline - drums

"Another shining jewel in Cryptogramophone's crown.” - Tilland, BBCi

"Blistering unison lines, voracious soloing escapades, and memorable melodies augment the ensemble's spunky demeanor. It's partly about the musicians' glowing synergy and their effective execution of dynamics that permeates this outing. This production also benefits from a glistening audio engineering process. No doubt, Ray's brainchild looms as one of the top albums of the year, or any year for that matter. Strongly recommended." - Astarita, AllMusic

"West Coast postmodern jazz in the ‘unable to classify’ category. The former sideman in Brian Setzer’s swing orchestra pens a few ideas of his own on Active Vapor Recovery. He has jettisoned swing for an amalgam of fresh funk, rock, chamber, and free music. Ray’s trombone carves through all of these tunes with a remarkable fluency in all styles. You have to dig any band that can go from dizzy to beautiful with such ease." - Corroto, All About Jazz

"Wailing guitar chops and searing violin, combined with the forthright brass attack of the trombone. The disc goes full-throttle for the most part, with some solid grooves matched with accessibility. Some funk, some loud avant jazz; and also some wandering sonic introspection. The third tune, "Shiny Object," cooks with electric heat, Nels Cline's guitar simmering behind the front line trombone and violin interplay. "In Cleveland" almost sounds like 'In Detroit,' a trombone/guitar Motown sound...or on second thought, more like a James Brown groove, slashing chords, driving brass. "Man With Kite" is the highlight, a ten minute mini-symphony opening with a wandering trombone and violin unison line, the rhythm section eventually gelling into a liquid groove. "Bitterroot," the closer, is a relaxed back porch moan that evokes wide open skies at dusk, a waning day holding hope for the future. The odd instrumental mix here works beautifully on the hard driving barn burners and slower, more introspective pieces too". - McClenaghan, All About Jazz