I dearest rich melodic bass lines that are all over the fret board, in addition to this cd (indeed, ALL of the cd's from Gambale Hamm Smith) delivers the goods.
For my money, y'all tin move teach out your "chops" at the curb if at that topographic point isn't whatever tune to augment them. But at that topographic point are both chops AND melodies abundant on this cd. Stu Hamm is genuinely i of the world's premier bass players, Gambale often plays inwards the Allan Holdsworth means (that's a proficient thing), in addition to drummer extraordinaire Steve Smith (Jean-Luc Ponty, Journey(!), Vital Information, etc., etc.) is an ideal drummer for this very-demanding means of music.
As a self-proclaimed "prog head", I approximate I'd prefer a chip to a greater extent than inwards the means of keyboards here, but that's a tiddler quibble. I've got plenty of keyboard-driven progressive jazz fusion cd's to satiate those desires anyway. As a reference point, this bears unopen similitudes alongside the mid-80's albums of Bill Connors.
Interesting, driving, soulful music played exceptionally well, alongside fine production. It's precisely what I was seeking when I took a peril on this one.
If every rails on hither were similar Confuse-a-Blues, it would cause got gotten v stars from me. That rails has gotten to a greater extent than playing fourth dimension at hardcore music parties than whatever other inwards recent retentiveness alongside requests for more. I cause got to admit, I wasn't a huge fan of Stuart Hamm from the teach go. Gambale in addition to Smith ever were ones I followed from outset hearing. But, this grouping actually came together on this cd alongside about challenging in addition to "in your face" tracks on here...Hamm beingness a really prissy part of it.
If y'all are a hardcore "fusionistic" music fan similar me who actually enjoys just a trio laying it downward in addition to challening your listening skills, this may last a proficient i to selection up.
I cause got seen Steve Smith in addition to Vital Information perform on several occasions, in addition to cause got also seen Stu Hamm. Having these 3 main musicians inwards the same band makes for i intense musical ride. I thought "The Light Beyond" was really good, in addition to this unloose definitely takes things a footstep further. The tunes hither give each fellow member to a greater extent than than plenty chances to display incredible chops, in addition to hence no i volition last dissappointed. Some fusion albums tin move become a chip over the hand equally far equally the soloing, fifty-fifty for the serious musicians out there. However, non this one. The solos are mind-boggling, but they never detract shape the songs, which are really good composed in addition to arranged. These guys hold getting improve in addition to better! I promise they proceed to issue novel material.
I cause got listened to piles of fusion inwards my day, in addition to this is i of the greats. No, it is non the near intense music out there, but is far to a greater extent than musical than near fusion, which ends upwards beingness a mere chops fest. All 3 of these fantabulous musicians play at their best, particularly Frank Gambale, who merely wails. Every tune is rigid too. Bring on to a greater extent than similar this one.
Track listing:
1 All In Your Head 7:41
2 The Great Roberto 8:09
3 Confuse-A-Blues 9:43
4 Saving Grace 7:34
5 Culture Clash 3:37
6 Geo 100 9:06
7 Nov 4:43
8 The Challenger 6:33
Personnel:
Frank Gambale - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Stuart Hamm - Bass
Steve Smith - Drums, Djembe, Shaker, Finger Cymbals
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