Fleck's 1984 solo debut showcases his virtuosic banjo playing and early explorations into jazz fusion. The album features a blend of original compositions and inventive covers.
- Deviation was recorded at the New Wilderness Foundation in New York City. The album was produced by String of Pearls and Béla Fleck. It was released on Rounder Records in March 1984.
- The tracklist includes original compositions such as 'The Blue Nile' and '1849'. The album also features a jazz rendition of the traditional folk song 'Amazing Grace'.
- Deviation marked a significant step in Fleck's career, bridging the gap between bluegrass and jazz sensibilities. It was a precursor to the genre-bending work he would later achieve with the Flecktones.
Béla Fleck is a multi-instrumentalist and composer best known for his pioneering work in jazz fusion and bluegrass music. In 1984, Fleck was an emerging artist in the contemporary jazz scene, having recently formed the influential jazz group, The Flecktones.
Tracklist
