Fusion - CD Reviews (474)
Colorado-based Active Ingredient is not just a typical band. In fact, reading the group's biographical information on its Web site address http://www.activegroove.com will …
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I have to admit that when I read the promotional sheet on this recording, "crucial in raising the Jam Band bar in the 90s", I was concerned. For me the whole jam band thing…
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It’s always a joy to follow the divergent paths of musicians who, as far back as thirty years ago, shared a common purpose. It’s even more gratifying to see that, after all…
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Booker T. & The MG’s were The Ventures of soul and rhythm and blues, cutting a majority of each cover track in less than three minutes. In the attention-grabbing liner note…
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Following their first major label release, Canadian fusion group Metalwood returns with a new record that, while retaining some of the strong groove style that marked Th…
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09 Mar
Neon Meate Dream of a Octafish: A Tribute to Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band by Various Artists
Before he retired to become a sculptor, Don Van Vliet - better known as Captain Beefheart - was a musical alchemist who conjured some of the most extreme sounds to rock the…
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Upon first listen of Skin Alley, the self-titled album recorded in 1969, I knew that I would have to listen a few more times before it all sunk in. I find it amazing…
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Just a year after Erik Truffaz released Mantis on Blue Note, he has returned with yet another step in his climb in musical exploration, using his instrument certainl…
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The program notes accurately that "Survey" is a collection of original compositions mostly by Matthias Ockert that consist of scraps of electronica, rock and new music unit…
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Tak Matsumoto’s (short for Takashi ) album Hana reminded me at times of some of the Japanese import releases the Ventures put out in the ‘90’s (they have sold…
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Another one for the "but weren’t they.... " file: yes, Spirit was nominally a "rock" band, but if it were that simple we wouldn’t have this review. Spirit was a Los Angeles…
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In 1976, trumpeter/composer Michael Mantler’s WATT label issued The Hapless Child, where the he set the grim poetry of Edward Gorey set to some appropriately siniste…
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Much to my surprise Woodenhead has been making music since 1975. It is literally impossible to keep up with all the bands that are coming out with music, so the fact…
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One of the most appealing things about Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip and Vinnie Colaiuta’s first album as Jing Chi (Jing Chi, Tone Centre, TC40212, 2001), was how incred…
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This Acoustic Syndicate hails from somewhere south o’ the McMason/McDixon line (hoot mon!), although it’s clear from even a cursory listen these cats have no truck with div…
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DW Project is chiefly Dan Walzer and Chuck Wiggins with help from their outstanding collaborators Ric Hordinski, Dave Larocca and Kerry Jordan. Their new CD g…
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As the late great Ralph Kramden would say, "some people got it, some people don’t." In this case, the "it" refers to the ability to craft engaging group (free) improvisatio…
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The name of the group and the CD's cover art suggested European Progressive Rock to me, so I was not surprised by the intricate bass introduction by George Hoar to "The Fun…
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For several years now, bassist Christian McBride has been dead set on proving true the old axiom that not only does jazz have the ability to broaden the scope and depth of …
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The present wave of neo-progressive/fusion bands and/or instrumental rock bands refuses to peak! As proof, please refer to the New Orleans-based Woodenhead: they "fit" into…
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