"A Delicacy" is a re-recording of an instrumental previously released on Now Hear This, a 1991 album past times Howe II (an before band of Greg's). "Proto Cosmos" is a pop jazz fusion composition past times pianist Alan Pasqua, originally featured on The New Tony Williams Lifetime's 1975 album Believe It.
Although he's primarily known every bit a heavy metallic shredder, guitarist Greg Howe tin mail away pretty much suit to whatsoever vogue thrown his agency -- including jazz fusion. And this is exactly the vogue that is featured throughout 2003's Extraction, which saw Howe joined past times such top-notch instrumentalists every bit Victor Wooten on bass as well as Dennis Chambers on drums (as good every bit 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, every bit the tunes oft retrieve the carefree fusion days of the 1970s, when such artists every bit Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke, as well as Al di Meola were consistently giving a hospital amongst chops-heavy tunes. As far every bit modern-day fusion goes, Extraction is pretty darn consistent from front end to back, every bit evidenced past times such uptempo ditties every bit "Extraction" as well as "Crack It Way Open," every bit good every bit to a greater extent than tranquil moments similar "Tease" as well as "Ease Up." Howe, Wooten, as well as Chambers accept sure as shooting succeeded inwards summoning upwards a heavy '70s vibe throughout Extraction, as well as every bit a result, the album wouldn't audio out of house played betwixt School Days as well as 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 so settles into a 16th-note tune describe of piece of job so typical of modern fusion. “Tease” is exceptionally entertaining, each performer coming upwards amongst an endless serial of creative ideas. But the adjacent track, “Crack It Way Open,” is pretty much inconsequential filler, the form of aimless noodling that nearly position fusion inwards its grave a decade ago. The tracks function on alternating thusly betwixt hope as well as pap.
When Howe picks upwards the acoustic guitar things teach a chip to a greater extent than interesting. Wooten adds closed to marvelous runs as well as his fretless playing is every bit fine every bit ever simply he, too, tends to autumn into the 16th-note babble pattern. Chambers, for his part, bubbles as well as swells appropriately on each tune; it’s a shame he doesn’t accept to a greater extent than to support. Keyboardist Dave Cook’s pads as well as lines assist to function on things on track, as well as he is a respectable soloist.
Having of late "discovered" Greg Howe, I actually relish this album on several dissimilar levels. The playing (by all band members) is top-shelf. They are all technically virtuoso. Greg's playing, piece really technical, is also really tasteful as well as jazzy on this album. Even the acoustic numbers are mesmerizing. The tones used on guitars as well as keyboards are a perfect tally for the funky, jazzy, fusionistic melodies here. I honestly can't nous to this CD enough! Worth every cent.
This music exceeds my expectations. I novel that the championship rails was special, simply was surprised that each vocal was special inwards it's ain way. All iv musicians are really gifted as well as contribute to i fine parcel of music. Kudos to Greg Howe for his compositions. Proto-Cosmos is a wonderful composition written past times Alan Pasqua. If you've heard Allan Holdsworth's version of it, brand sure to sample this version. It keeps the excitement as well as raises it several notches. I completely recommend this recording.
Track listing:
All music composed past times 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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