Although Dave Weckl is an first-class drummer, non all of his recordings convey been excellent. In the 1990s, y'all never knew if y'all would uncovering something exciting or mundane on a Weckl album. But this fusion/soul-jazz disc turned out to travel a pleasant surprise. Synergy, inwards fact, is the drummer's virtually consistently satisfying CD. Excessive producing was a major work on around of his previous releases, but this fourth dimension he to a greater extent than oft than non avoids overproducing as well as goes for a existent band sound. Joined yesteryear tenor as well as soprano saxman Brandon Fields, keyboardist Jay Oliver, guitarist Buzz Feiten, as well as electrical bassist Tom Kennedy, Weckl has a corporation squad to function amongst as well as emphasizes improvisation as well as honest-to-God playing non high-tech studio gloss. Weckl's band sounds quite cohesive on a diverse, unpredictable outing that ranges from the funky "Wet Skin" as well as the Latin-influenced championship vocal to the ominous "Cape Fear" as well as the frail "A Simple Prayer." If y'all could buy solely 1 of Weckl's 1990s albums, Synergy would travel the best choice.
Dave Weckl's 5th CD would convey been exactly around other expert 1 inwards a string of many salve 1 thing: the add-on of guitar neat Buzz Feiten to his green outstanding beat department of Tommy Kennedy on bass as well as Jay Oliver on keyboards. Feiten's playing as well as writing talents lifted this liberate to a marking non quite achieved since, giving the whole laid an electrical border y'all tin both hear as well as feel. This CD was recorded on the heels of an extensive tour, as well as I tin solely imagine the on phase excitement as well as inventiveness that led to such an outstanding musical set.
Audio lineament is outstanding throughout, driven yesteryear Weckl's accomplished studio techniques as well as penchant for perfection. High Life is signature Dave Weckl, amongst an African-inspired drum groove over a tight beat department ending inwards a ridiculous drum solo. Panda's Dream is 1 of those Buzz Feiten tunes that makes this CD unique; it features a stone groove as well as guitar Pb that makes this 1 of my all-time favorite Dave Weckl tunes. Swunk features a form of half-time driving swing famous amid drummers (and made pop yesteryear Weather Report) for how fun it is to play; checkout the full-blown straight-time swing nether a expert sax solo. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Simple Prayer is a Feiten ballad featuring a dreamy acoustic guitar. Cape Fear is an interesting groove amongst a haunting guitar melody, but aught prepares y'all for the killer bass solo that ends the tune. After an opening bass solo, the championship cutting (Synergy) makes y'all desire to larn upward as well as dance, as well as is besides 1 of my favorites on the CD. Where's My Paradise is a instant ballad written yesteryear Feiten as well as Oliver featuring around overnice acoustic guitar work. Swamp Thing is around other rocker featuring Buzz Feiten amongst a neat horn lead, as well as apace became 1 of my all-time favorite Dave Weckl tunes. If you're keeping count, that's 2 (2!) tracks off of 1 CD that made my "all-time favorite" list, as well as both are either written or co-written yesteryear Buzz Feiten featuring solos yesteryear the same. The concluding 2 cuts are actually throw-aways for me: Cultural Concurrence is the obligatory Dave Weckl triggered drum solo, as well as Tower '99 is a re-work of Tower Of Inspiration off of his showtime CD (Master Plan). It's a overnice groove, but I recommend checking out the master copy that features a killer horn arrangement.
Drummer Dave Weckl gained such a cultlike next playing amongst Chick Corea's Elektric as well as Akoustic bands inwards the 1980s that he could likely liberate an album of solo wood-block tapping as well as convey it sell plenty copies to brand the examine worthwhile. So it's a pleasant surprise that Synergy is a decidedly grouping examine that thrusts the varied compositional talents as well as versatility of Weckl as well as his bandmates to the forefront instead of simply showcasing the leader's drum chops. Not that Weckl has been letting those chops sag; his solo percussion odyssey "Cultural Concurrence" as well as his ferocious soloing over the Latin groove of the championship rail are plenty to hand air drummers everywhere a workout. But what makes Synergy to a greater extent than listenable than around of Weckl's other efforts is the inspired grouping interplay that finds him as well as his longtime touring ensemble--saxophonist Brandon Fields, keyboardist Jay Oliver, guitarist Buzz Feiten, as well as bassist Tommy Kennedy--locking inwards on grooves that force beyond his normal jazz-fusion terrain. From the West African experience of "High Life" to the Cajun-tinged "Swamp Thing" to the swanky James Brown funk of "Wet Skin," Synergy is an inspired as well as varied outing.
Track listing:
01 "High Life"
02 "Panda's Dream"
03 "Swunk"
04 "A Simple Prayer"
05 "Cape Fear"
06 "Wet Skin"
07 "Synergy"
08 "Where's My Paradise?"
09 "Lucky Seven"
10 "Swamp Thing"
xi "Cultural Concurrence"
12 "Tower '99"
Personnel:
Dave Weckl - drums, tambourine, percussion
Brandon Fields - soprano, tenor & baritone saxophones, keyboards, synthesizer
Jay Oliver - organ, keyboards, synthesizer
Buzz Feiten - electric, nylon string & steel string guitars
Tom Kennedy - bass
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