"A Delicacy" is a re-recording of an instrumental previously released on Now Hear This, a 1991 album yesteryear Howe II (an before ring of Greg's). "Proto Cosmos" is a pop jazz fusion composition yesteryear pianist Alan Pasqua, originally featured on The New Tony Williams Lifetime's 1975 album Believe It.
Although he's primarily known equally a heavy metallic shredder, guitarist Greg Howe tin pretty much arrange to whatever trend thrown his agency -- including jazz fusion. And this is exactly the trend that is featured throughout 2003's Extraction, which saw Howe joined yesteryear such top-notch instrumentalists equally Victor Wooten on bass together with Dennis Chambers on drums (as good equally David Cook on keys). Longtime fans of Howe who are hoping for at to the lowest degree a glimpse of his hard stone roots are out of luck here, equally the tunes ofttimes recollect the carefree fusion days of the 1970s, when such artists equally Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke, together with Al di Meola were consistently giving a hospital amongst chops-heavy tunes. As far equally modern-day fusion goes, Extraction is pretty darn consistent from front end to back, equally evidenced yesteryear such uptempo ditties equally "Extraction" together with "Crack It Way Open," equally good equally to a greater extent than tranquil moments similar "Tease" together with "Ease Up." Howe, Wooten, together with Chambers convey sure as shooting succeeded inwards summoning upward a heavy '70s vibe throughout Extraction, together with equally a result, the album wouldn't audio out of house played betwixt School Days together with Where Have I Known You Before.
The pedigrees of these musicians are unquestionably solid. Right off the bat we’re treated to a powerful Chambers drum solo on the championship track, which together with so settles into a 16th-note tune trace of piece of job so typical of modern fusion. “Tease” is exceptionally entertaining, each performer coming upward amongst an endless serial of creative ideas. But the side yesteryear side track, “Crack It Way Open,” is pretty much inconsequential filler, the form of aimless noodling that most lay fusion inwards its grave a decade ago. The tracks run along alternating thusly betwixt hope together with pap.
When Howe picks upward the acoustic guitar things teach a flake to a greater extent than interesting. Wooten adds to a greater extent than or less marvelous runs together with his fretless playing is equally fine equally ever only he, too, tends to autumn into the 16th-note babble pattern. Chambers, for his part, bubbles together with swells appropriately on each tune; it’s a shame he doesn’t convey to a greater extent than to support. Keyboardist Dave Cook’s pads together with lines assist to run along things on track, together with he is a respectable soloist.
Having of late "discovered" Greg Howe, I actually relish this album on several unlike levels. The playing (by all ring members) is top-shelf. They are all technically virtuoso. Greg's playing, spell really technical, is also really tasteful together with jazzy on this album. Even the acoustic numbers are mesmerizing. The tones used on guitars together with keyboards are a perfect agree for the funky, jazzy, fusionistic melodies here. I honestly can't brain to this CD enough! Worth every cent.
This music exceeds my expectations. I novel that the championship rails was special, only was surprised that each vocal was special inwards it's ain way. All 4 musicians are really gifted together with contribute to i fine parcel of music. Kudos to Greg Howe for his compositions. Proto-Cosmos is a wonderful composition written yesteryear Alan Pasqua. If you've heard Allan Holdsworth's version of it, brand sure to sample this version. It keeps the excitement together with raises it several notches. I completely recommend this recording.
Track listing:
All music composed yesteryear Greg Howe, except where noted.
No. Title Length
1. "Extraction" 6:13
2. "Tease" 6:07
3. "Crack It Way Open" 5:59
4. "Contigo" 6:30
5. "Proto Cosmos" (Alan Pasqua) 4:15
6. "A Delicacy" 2:24
7. "Lucky 7" 6:02
8. "Ease Up" 6:20
9. "Bird's Eye View" 6:18
Total length: 50:08
Personnel:
Greg Howe – guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboard, production
Dennis Chambers – drums
Victor Wooten – bass
David Cook – additional keyboard, keyboard solos
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