I beloved 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, yous tin terminate larn out your "chops" at the curb if at that topographic point isn't whatsoever tune to augment them. But at that topographic point are both chops AND melodies abundant on this cd. Stu Hamm is genuinely 1 of the world's premier bass players, Gambale oftentimes plays inward the Allan Holdsworth agency (that's a skilful thing), in addition to drummer extraordinaire Steve Smith (Jean-Luc Ponty, Journey(!), Vital Information, etc., etc.) is an ideal drummer for this very-demanding agency of music.
As a self-proclaimed "prog head", I approximate I'd prefer a fleck to a greater extent than inward the agency of keyboards here, but that's a shaver 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 amongst the mid-80's albums of Bill Connors.
Interesting, driving, soulful music played exceptionally well, amongst fine production. It's just what I was seeking when I took a conduct chances on this one.
If every rails on hither were similar Confuse-a-Blues, it would stimulate got gotten five stars from me. That rails has gotten to a greater extent than playing fourth dimension at hardcore music parties than whatsoever other inward recent retentiveness amongst requests for more. I stimulate got to admit, I wasn't a huge fan of Stuart Hamm from the larn go. Gambale in addition to Smith e'er were ones I followed from kickoff hearing. But, this grouping actually came together on this cd amongst roughly challenging in addition to "in your face" tracks on here...Hamm beingness a really overnice business office of it.
If yous are a hardcore "fusionistic" music fan similar me who actually enjoys just a trio laying it downwards in addition to challening your listening skills, this may endure a skilful 1 to alternative up.
I stimulate got seen Steve Smith in addition to Vital Information perform on several occasions, in addition to stimulate got also seen Stu Hamm. Having these 3 primary musicians inward the same band makes for 1 intense musical ride. I thought "The Light Beyond" was really good, in addition to this liberate definitely takes things a pace further. The tunes hither give each fellow member to a greater extent than than plenty chances to display incredible chops, then no 1 volition endure dissappointed. Some fusion albums tin terminate become a fleck over the laissez passer on 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 ameliorate in addition to better! I promise they proceed to publish novel material.
I stimulate got listened to piles of fusion inward my day, in addition to this is 1 of the greats. No, it is non the close intense music out there, but is far to a greater extent than musical than close fusion, which ends upwards beingness a mere chops fest. All 3 of these fantabulous musicians play at their best, particularly Frank Gambale, who only 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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