For You Lot Dave Weckl - 1994 Difficult Wired

What was truthful of Master Plan is every bit good truthful of Dave Weckl's tertiary album every bit a leader of Hard-Wired -- it isn't the fusion masterpiece Weckl is capable of delivering, but it sure isn't bad either. This time, the drummer's guests include keyboardist Jay Oliver in addition to bassist Anthony Jackson every bit good every bit bassist John Patitucci, who similar Weckl, was no longer a fellow member of Chick Corea's Akoustic in addition to Elektric Bands in addition to was making his ain albums a priority. The album's primary emphasis is fusion that is fairly accessible, yet substantial in addition to improvisatory. Tunes similar the Asian-influenced championship vocal in addition to the groove-oriented "Crazy Horse" weren't recorded amongst difficult bop's hard-liners inwards mind, but at the same time, they don't pander to NAC radio. As enjoyable every bit this album is, it isn't essential. One sensed that Weckl's best operate every bit a leader was yet to come.

When y'all read other reviews (and mine!) precisely think the profound musing ... opinions are similar [anatomical descriptor here]: everyone's got one. Now for my minute disclaimer: I am a drummer. That said, I relish this CD every bit much for the stellar non-percussion composition in addition to performances every bit much every bit I create for the stellar percussion composition in addition to performances.

This CD sizzles. It has about songs on it that could hold upward said to induce got been written amongst "pop"y hooks inwards them, yes. It every bit good has a masterful latin slice ("Dis' Place This") amongst about wild rhythms inwards it (love that pianoforte part!), whimsical tunes ("Afrique" in addition to "Just an Illusion"), moody songs ("In Flight" in addition to "Where's Tom?"), jazzy urban grooves ("Crazy Horse" (amazing keyboard work) in addition to "In the Pocket"), in addition to a soulful, somber complete ("Tribute") amongst a wonderfully rich pianoforte business office (it takes getting through nearly a infinitesimal of muted telephone substitution tones played to a ride cymbal to larn to it) that the sax picks upward in addition to follows along with. The entire horn department is well-written in addition to well-played throughout the album.

Weckl definitely gets his fourth dimension inwards the spotlight, in addition to NO ONE tin can create it quite similar him. Some of the songs did induce got a few listens to larn into, I admit, but this is straightaway i of my favorite CDs of all time. If y'all intend the samples on Amazon are interesting AT ALL, hence BUY IT. I don't intend you'll experience y'all wasted whatever coin later on exclusively a few plays.

This is non exclusively my favorite Weckl CD, but i of my favorite CDs of all time. When I heard Weckl amongst Chick's Electric Band I was blown away at his sound. When I heard his compositions on "Master Plan" amongst Jay Oliver, I was Floored. I had no thought this guy was every bit nifty a composer every bit he was a drummer! Not exclusively are these guys masters of their instruments, they are every bit good amazing composers. The rhythms, the melodies, the solos, are all beyond incredible. Jay Oliver is precisely the best soloist I induce got e'er heard. His 'mimic guitar' solo inwards "Crazy Horse" is the coolest 'guitar solos' I induce got e'er heard. Whether y'all play drums, bass, guitar, keys, sax, horns or precisely dear hearing the finest compositions played yesteryear the finest musicians, GET THIS CD! You volition hold upward BLOWN AWAY!

Hard Wired is definitely an improvement over Dave's previous solo album "Heads Up," peculiarly inwards the human face of songwriting. It powerfulness yet hold upward somewhat of a drummer's album, but later on all it IS a drummer's album! Dave plays about nifty grooves amongst about crazy vanquish displacement/syncopation on the to a greater extent than latin-fusion flavored tracks, every bit good every bit about straighter bag playing. Just an interesting side note- the "guitar" solo on rail v that is mentioned inwards other reviews is truly Jay Oliver using a unique audio on the keyboard, in addition to using the pitch bend! This is a must induce got for drummers, but every bit good a practiced album for anyone who appreciates jazz fusion oriented, instrumental music.  

Track listing:

1     Hard-Wired     4:02
2     Afrique     5:53
3     Dis' Place This     6:38
4     In Flight     6:11
5     Crazy Horse     5:41
6     Just An Illusion     5:09
7     Where's Tom?     5:09
8     In The Pocket     5:29
9     Tribute     5:09

Personnel:

    Drum, Drum Programming – Dave Weckl
    Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 1, 2, 3,), James Genus (tracks: 5, 6, 7), John Patitucci (tracks: 4, 9)
    Bass [Programming] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 8)
    Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione
    Synthesizer, Piano, Organ – Jay Oliver
    Trumpet – Scott Alspach