Another trio, another great disc. OK, so there will be moments on this disc where you think I’ve slipped in some organ outtakes off of ELP’s “Tarkus” — Hammond lovers take note. The lineup is Jeff Babko on keys, Jeff Coffin on woodwinds and Vinnie on drums. One listen will reaffirm these guys as masters of their craft. Be sure to check out Jeff’s notes on the album, and enjoy four completely distinctive tracks out on the station.
Here’s a fast-paced recording from 1990, by a trio consisting of Mike Miller on guitars, Jim Lacefield on bass and Ralph Humphrey on drums. The recording grew out of a long term relationship the guys had playing together, as well as their teaching at the The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. The tunes take all kinds of tasty turns, with messrs. Lacefield and Humphrey laying down a thick groove throughout. All the more impressive is that the disc was recorded live. Enjoy five tracks in “heavy rotation” on the station now.
My guess is that this album is Patrick Yandall’s answer to Steely Dan’s “Aja”. Some of the tunes have an uncanny resemblance to the Dan classic, which to these ears is a very good thing. Stylish and soulful, this is a fantastic disc. What’s even more impressive is the list of personnel: Patrick Yandall, everything — that’s all instruments, production, engineering, etc. Check out four tracks on the station, and Patrick’s site at Patrick Yandall.com.
From the Are-you-kidding-me? department, anyone catching David Wright’s tune “Big Feeling” on the station right now should know that what sounds like a Minimoog keyboard solo is actually some really nice guitar synth work by David. It had me fooled, until he told me otherwise.
Makes me think that David playing keyboard solos on his guitar, trading off with Jan Hammer playing guitar solos on his keyboard, could be kinda surreal.
Drummer Craig Pilo writes: “At some point, I honestly feel it’s important to let the critics be critics, and for better or worse – Just Play”. I’m betting you’ll be happy with the playing Craig and the band lay down on this disc. Simply outstanding jazz, crisply recorded from a lengthy all-star cast. Appearing on the tracks I’m playing are Mitchel Forman and Ed Czach with some truly blistering Fender Rhodes work, Burt Samolis, Keith Hubacher, Jim King, Tom Kennedy and David Enos each on some equally blistering bass lines, Roman Dudok on sax, with Pilo keeping the rhythm locked and loaded and filled with particularly tasty cymbal work. Check out Craig’s website at www.craigpilo.com.
Japan’s funk fusion band CASIOPEA joins FusionGroovin’s playlists with three tracks off of their “Bitter Sweet” album. This is a tiny fraction of a huge discography dating back to 1979. Those of you looking for upbeat tunes with a thick groove will not be disappointed. CASIOPEA is Issei Noro on guitars, Minoru Mukaiya on keyboards, Yoshihiro Naruse on bass and M6 programming, and Akira Jimbo on drums. Check ‘em out on FusionGroovin, and at http://www.casiopea.co.jp/.
José de Castro’s bluesy, funky guitar tone returns to FusionGroovin via his third album, “Conversation”. José is joined by Melvin Lee Davis and J. Vera on bass, Enzo Filippone on drums, Denis Bilanin on keyboards and Iñaki Quiano on Hammond Organ. José’s tunes have been a real listener favorite on the station — here are three more tracks in the same vein. Visit his website at http://www.josedecastro.net/.
Leviathan strikes again as various special interests have conspired to distinguish Internet Radio from other broadcasting mediums and attack its very existence. Royalty rates will skyrocket and likely have a devastating effect on Live365 and potentially FusionGroovin as well.
Live365 is part of a coalition to prevent this from happening, but time is running out. We need your help. Click here for more information and take action now!
Continuing with his tribute-to-the-masters series, guitarist Jeff Richman has produced yet another blockbuster disc paying musical respects to the work of Carlos Santana. The core band consists of Peter Wolf on keyboards, Dave Weckl on drums, Abraham Laboriel on bass, Luis Conte on percussion and vocals, with Jeff adding additional guitars. Each slammin’ track features a different lead guitarist carrying the melody and solos. To that end, I’m playing tracks featuring Vinnie Moore, Jeff Richman, Eric Gales, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford and Coco Montoya. In “heavy rotation”, not to be missed.
