No recording dates are listed on The State of Things, merely Garfield's clearly been working on it for years, given that a 3rd of the tracks characteristic Carlos Vega—a versatile drummer who appeared on literally hundreds of albums earlier passing away tragically inwards 1998.
This fusion-centric endeavour features many of LA's best session players, merely inwards many ways it's every bit much Landau's disc every bit it is Garfield's. He pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix on a version of "If Six Was Nine that—as blasphemous every bit this may sound—might genuinely last an improvement on the original. While his musical note says rock, his lines tell jazz every bit he demonstrates consummate facility navigating changes on the swinging version of Miles Davis' "Milestones together with a to a greater extent than frail mainstream conduct maintain on John Coltrane's "Naima. He exhibits his to a greater extent than textural side on "Me together with kicks things into extreme high gear on the greasy funk of "Five Storks together with the to a greater extent than overtly rocking "Black Cadillac.
Landau's together with then all over The State of Things that it's tardily to overlook the strengths coming from every other corner. Garfield chooses the correct drummer every time. John Guerin, or together with then other studio veteran who passed away inwards 2004 who may last best-remembered for his '70s piece of occupation amongst Tom Scott's LA Express together with Joni Mitchell, is featured hither on iii jazz standards—the aforementioned "Milestones together with "Naima, every bit good every bit an all-acoustic version of Miles' "Nardis. Vinnie Colaiuta comes inwards for to a greater extent than powerhouse fusion tracks similar "Tsunami, which also features a invitee topographic point past times iconic guitarist Allan Holdsworth, piece Vega straddles the territory betwixt the ii together with Phillips is the perfect selection for the Hendrix cover. And piece Landau's vocalization is difficult to ignore, Garfield's no slouch either, delivering a fleet-fingered solo on the ambling funk of "Aliens.
The liberate energy score is high together with the album is definitely nearly soloing, merely Garfield is also a fine author of 10 pieces, collaborating amongst others including bassist Jimmy Johnson, EWI operate participant Steve Tavaglione together with Landau.
All also frequently fusion albums—especially session-based ones amongst no consistent center band—come across every bit cipher to a greater extent than than an chance for soloists to ply their wares, most times amongst minimal reckon for the essence of the material. The State of Things is a welcome exception where the entirely matter every bit impressive every bit the many players' virtuosic notwithstanding meaningful facility is their honour for the writing and, despite their sometimes raw power, an avoidance of self-indulgence together with excess. This is fusion every bit it should be.
Keyboard operate participant David Garfield is i of the most pop session musicians on the westward coast. The listing of people that conduct maintain used his talents includes George Benson, Quincy Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Michael McDonald, Jeff Porcaro, Joe Sample, Spinal Tap, Tom Scott, Clark Terry to holler a few.
The album THE STATE OF THINGS finds David's contemporary band projection experimenting amongst rhythms together with harmonies to create a collection of adventurous, exploratory jams that emphasize the potent compositional feel together with extraordinary musicianship. It is i startling, brilliantly realized sentiment later another. thirteen energetic tracks, 10 Garfield-originals (some co-written amongst his co-musicians), a Michael Landau composition addition a John Coltrane together with a Jimi Hendrix cover.
Track Listing:
01 Me;
02 Five Storks;
03 Miles (Milestones);
04 Black Cadillac;
05 Forrest for the Trees;
06 If Six Was Nine;
07 Aliens;
08 Naima;
09 Toast for Eli;
10 Nardis;
eleven Chimo;
12 Tsunami.
Personnel:
David Garfield: piano, keyboards, synthesizers, spoken discussion (6);
Michael Landau: guitar (all tracks except 10), vocals (6);
Larry Klimas: saxophone on (2,3,5,7-9,11);
Steve Tavaglione: Akai EWI (2,4,5,9,11,12);
Brandon Fields: saxophone (10);
Walt Fowler: flugelhorn (2,8,10);
Eddie Van Halen: guitar (intro correct side together with high part on chorus on 6);
Terry Trotter: pianoforte (10);
Allan Holdsworth: solo guitar, synthaxe together with guitar pads (12);
Abraham Laboriel (3,8); John Pena (2,4): Bass
John Guerin (3,8,10); Carlos Vega (2,5,7,11,12); Vinnie Colaiuta (4,7,9,11); Simon Phillips (6): Drums
Lenny Castro (2,5,7,9,11) Michael Fisher (4): Percussion
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