For You Lot Ed Hamilton - 1996 Planet Jazz

Planet Jazz gives the impression that guitarist/keyboardist Ed Hamilton has sublimated to a greater extent than adventurous instincts to remain on target alongside his handlers' bid for volume appeal. Only occasionally does he hint at having a vocalization of his own: for example, when executing an unexpected plough of phrase inwards a high-speed sew together the cervix or inwards moments when his jazz, rock, as well as popular confections coalesce into glimmerings of a administration worthy of farther exploration. Overall, though, the focus on this 1996 unloosen is on sweet, hummable hooks rather than swinging improvisation. Still, on a couplet of the 12 Hamilton originals here, the immature Philadelphian impresses alongside exactly about dainty Wes Montgomery-inspired work. It's a compassion at that spot isn't more, because when he industrial plant inwards the fresh, mainstream vein of his "Life on the Edge" as well as "Curtis Blues," Hamilton is a credible as well as convincing jazz guitarist alongside fairly staggering chops. Hamilton's cohorts -- including bassists Charles Fambrough as well as Stanley Clarke, drummer Lenny White, as well as soprano saxophonist George Howard -- contribute crisp, professional, note-perfect parts. Trouble is they ready static, rather than organic, structures. As a result, Hamilton's impressively hook-laden writing only becomes repetitious, rather than serving equally the terra firma for the type of spontaneous evolution commonly associated alongside the term "jazz." Hamilton has clearly come upward to the crossroads as well as picked (or had picked for him) the fork that points to potential commercial success (which may or may non come upward his way). If he afterward reconsiders, he won't move the commencement thespian to backtrack as well as pursue a to a greater extent than personal muse.

Track listing:

1 Planet Jazz 5:40
2 4 A. M. Blues 4:32
3 Better Days Ahead 4:37
4 Gray Day 4:46
5 What Time Is It Now? 5:06
6 South Of Monterey 4:56
7 Life On The Edge 5:30
8 Curtis Blues 4:19
9 Life Dreams 4:06
10 Race Against The Wind 4:29
11 Lullabye 4:45
12 Say What? 4:06

Personnel:

Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Bass – Ed Hamilton
Bass – Stanley Clarke: (track 3)
Acoustic Bass – Charles Fambrough, Vince Fay
Drums – Lenny White, Pat Petrillo
Percussion – José Rossy*, Todd Schietroma
Piano – Dave Falciani
Soprano Saxophone – George Howard (tracks: 4, 6, 12)