Vital Information - 1984 [2005] "Orion"

Again, a noticeable departure from his work as the timekeeper in Journey, Steve Smith's Vital Information project is straight-ahead, no-frills fusion from the '80s. Orion pretty much stays within the formula that made Vital Information's debut album so catchy and accessible: slick production and smooth musicianship atop a sheer layer of gloss for sonic measure. Smith holds it down in the background while the band plays through melodies that wouldn't be out of place on records à la their contemporaries. Not the band's strongest effort, but definitely not their weakest either. 

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Future Primitive ( 6:57 )
2. Thank You Mr. Edison ( 4:58 )
3. The Strut ( 5:51 )
4. Orion ( 3:51 )
5. Blade ( 5:14 )
6. The Adventures Of Hector & Jose ( 7:31 )
7. Shadows Past ( 5:45 )
8. Blues To Bappe II ( 5:50 )

Total Time : 45:57

Line-up / Musicians

Dean Brown / electric & acoustic guitars, synthesizer guitar, piano on Orion
Eef Albers / guitar on Orion, guitar solos on Future Primitive & Thank You Mr Edison
Steve Smith / drums, piano, percussion
Dave Wilczewski / tenor, alto & soprano saxophones
Tim Landers / bass, tenor bass Taurus bass pedals

CD Wounded Bird WOU 9375 (2005)

Various Artist - 2005 Drum Nation Vol. 2

Not an album for the regular "foot tapper", Drum Nation is some very good progressive rock/jazz, with some incredible drumming, as well as guitar, keyboards and bass.

Tracklist / Personnel:

1 –Mike Portnoy, Andy West Meetings (From Album "Rama 1")
Bass – Andy WestDrums – Mike PortnoyGuitar – Mike KeneallyKeyboards – Jens JohanssonSynth – Jens Johansson 5:55
2 –Pat Mastelotto Toccata (From Album, "Encore, Legends And Paradox")
Bass – Wayne GardnerDrum – Pat MastelottoElectronic Drums – Pat MastelottoKeyboards – Trent GardnerLead Guitar – Peter BanksPercussion – Pat MastelottoRhythm Guitar – Peter BanksSynth – Matt Guillory 8:04
3 –Dennis Chambers With Niacin One Less Worry (From Album "Niacin Live Blood Sweat And Beers")
Bass – Billy SheehanDrums – Dennis ChambersKeyboards – John Novello 7:28
4 –Terry Bozzio & Billy Sheehan The Last Page (From Album "Nine Short Films")
Baritone Guitar – Billy SheehanBass – Billy SheehanDrums – Terry BozzioGuitar Synthesizer – Terry BozzioKeyboards – Terry BozzioLyrics By – Terry BozzioPercussion – Terry BozzioVocals – Terry Bozzio 8:25
5 –Clyde Stubblefield With Clinton Administration, The Cosmic Slop (From Album "One Nation Under A Re-Groove")
Bass – Melvin GibbsDrums – Clyde StubblefieldGuitar – Phil UpchurchKeyboards – Robert WalterPercussion – Chuck PradaSaxophone – SkerikTurntables – DJ Logic 4:57
6 –Virgil Donati, Derek Sherinian Space Martini (From Album "Planet X")
Bass – Tony FranklinDrums – Virgil DonatiGuitar – Brett GarsedKeyboards – Derek Sherinian 3:47
7 –Tim Alexander With Attention Deficit My Fellow Astronauts (From Album "The Idiot King")
Bass – Michael ManringDrums – Tim AlexanderGuitar – Alex Skolnick, Tim Alexander 4:04
8 –Keith Carlock With Oz Noy Steroids (From Album "Oz Live")
Bass – James GenusDrums – Keith CarlockGuitar – Oz Noy 4:52
9 –Rod Morgenstein With Andy West Herd Instinct (From Album "Rama 1")
Bass – Andy WestDrums – Rod MorgensteinGuitar – Mike Keneally 4:36
10 –Simon Phillips The Barbarian (From Album, "Encore, Legends And Paradox")
Bass – Robert BerryDrums – Simon PhillipsGuitar – Robert BerryKeyboards – Igor Khoroshev 4:40
11 –Josh Freese With Stripsearch Baby-Faced Assassin (From Album "Stripsearch")
Bass – Mike ElizondoDrums – Josh FreeseGuitar – Michael WardSaxophone – Jason Freese 9:54
12 –Anton Fig With Oz Noy Cissy Strut (From Album "Oz Live")
Bass – Will LeeDrums – Anton FigGuitar – Oz Noy 4:06
13 –Stanton Moore With Clinton Administration, The Family Affair (From Album "Take You Higher")
Alto Saxophone – Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum*Bass – Kai EckhardtBass Clarinet – Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum*Drums – Stanton MooreEffects – Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum*Flute – Cochemea "Cheme" Gastelum*Organ – Robert WalterPercussion – Chuck PradaPiano – Eric LevyRhythm Guitar – Charlie Hitchcock, Fareed Haque, Michael Lee FirkinsSlide Guitar – Michael Lee FirkinsSoloist – Michael Lee Firkins 7:05

Various Artist - 2004 Drum Nation Vol. 1

When the people at Modern Drummer magazine conceived the idea of an album highlighting some of the most innovative drummers on the scene today, they probably didn't realize they would also be making a statement applicable to all instruments: that there are some people who are players of their instruments, and then there are musicians —artists who transcend the boundaries of their instrument, rise above the egotistical concerns of demonstrating just how good they are and ambitiously aim, instead, to create compelling musical statements. Modern Drummer Presents Drum Nation Volume One has its share of both, but, happily, the tendency leans towards artists whose interests lie beyond merely the potential of their chosen instrument.
Take Bill Bruford's reading of "Beelzebub," an interesting choice because it finds Bruford's recent all-acoustic Earthworks ensemble tackling the first track from his first solo album, Feels Good to Me ('78), a more electric fusion affair that included guitarist Allan Holdsworth. With his current group of pianist Steve Hamilton, woodwind multi-instrumentalist Tim Garland and acoustic bassist Mark Hodgson, Bruford proves that good material transcends context and instrumentation. While Bruford's mathematically-precise drumming still drives this complicated little piece, he has loosened up over the years. And Garland's bass clarinet and soprano saxophone bring a different complexion to the tune, making it every bit as relevant as the original.
Chad Wackerman uses his space to continue documenting his most recent band of Australians, including vibraphonist Daryl Pratt, bassist Leon Gaer and, in particular, young guitarist James Muller, who continues to be one of the most inventive players you've never heard. "The Spell" is a clever and more cerebral kind of fusion that should make listeners want to dash out to check out Scream ('00) and the more recent Legs Eleven ('03), both featuring this fine group.
Stanton Moore, of Galactic fame, continues to mine the wealth of New Orleans rhythms, this time augmenting his organ-guitar-bass-baritone quintet with a six-piece horn section to give "Sprung Monkey" an authentic New Orleans street vibe. Steve Smith, teamed with tabla master Zakir Hussain, delivers the eleven-minute opus "Mad Tea Time," which successfully traverses the boundary between East and West, climaxing with a thrilling series of trade-offs between drums and tablas. And British legend Simon Phillips delivers a pedal-to-the-metal piece of high octane fusion with "Manganese," featuring not only his fine drumming, but also guitarist Andy Timmons, a player we ought to be hearing more from.
While the rest of the tracks successfully demonstrate the innovative minds of its creators—most notably Terry Bozzio's "A Glimpse into a Deeply Disturbed Mind," which turns techno on its ear by having live drums trigger and work off sampled sounds instead of sampled sounds working off programmed drum rhythms—the album really does separate the men from the boys when it comes to true artists versus players. Still, Modern Drummer Presents Drum Nation Volume One is a captivating look into the instrument's potential, highlighting several artists who are certainly worthy of more than a second look.

Track Listing:

A Glimpse into a Deeply Disturbed Mind; Beelzebub; Mad Tea Time Part 1; Mad Tea Time Part 2; The Spell; Sprung Monkey; Manganese; Lagerborg; Faceless Pastiche; Shut Up and Play Yer Drums; Wandering Portland Maine; Pull Up My Sleeve

Personnel:

On "A Glimpse into a Deeply Disturbed Mind": Terry Bozzio (drums, keyboards, voice, reason, and Ableton "live" sequencing software)
On "Beelzebub": Bill Bruford's Earthworks: Bill Bruford (drums), Tim Garland (bass clarinet, soprano saxophone), Steve Hamilton (piano), Mark Hodgson (acoustic bass)
On "Mad Tea Time Parts 1 and 2": Steve Smith (drums), Zakir Hussain (tablas), George Brooks (tenor sax and tamboura), Fareed Haque (sitar guitar), Kai Eckhardt (bass)
On "The Spell": Chad Wackerman (drums), Daryl Pratt (vibes), James Muller (guitar), Leon Gaer (bass)
on "Sprung Monkey": Stanton Moore (drums), Robert Mercurio (bass), Jeff Raines (guitar), Rich Vogel (Hammond B-3), Ben Ellman (baritone sax), with the L'il Rascals Brass Band Horns: Dewen Scott (trumpet), Jeffery Hills (tuba), Glen David Andrews (trombone), Corey Henry (trombone), Mervin Campbell (trumpet), Vincent Broussard (saxophone)
On "Manganese": Simon Phillips (drums), Jeff Babko (keyboards), Jimmy Johnson (bass), Andy Timmons (guitar)
On "Lagerborg": Josh Freese (drums)
On "Faceless Pastiche": Rod Morgenstern (drums, percussion), Jordan Rudess (keyboards)
On "Shut Up and Play Yer Drums": Tim Alexander (drums, percussion), Brain (drums, percussion)
On "Wandering Portland Maine": Marco Minnemann (drums, percussion)
On "Pull Up My Sleeve": Stephen Perkins (drums), Brooks Wackerman (drums)

Herbie Hancock - 1974 [1998] "Thrust"

Thrust is a jazz-funk album by Herbie Hancock, released in September 6, 1974 on Columbia Records. It served as a follow-up to Hancock's album, Head Hunters (1973), and achieved similar commercial success, as the album reached as high as number 13 on the Billboard Hot 200 listing. The lineup for Thrust is the same as on Head Hunters, except Mike Clark replaced Harvey Mason on drums. This is Hancock's thirteenth album overall.
The composition "Actual Proof" was originally written for the film The Spook Who Sat By the Door, and Hancock has used it as a demonstration of his style of playing the Fender Rhodes piano.[3]
The composition "Butterfly" would subsequently be performed on the live album, Flood, and two more studio releases: Direct Step and Dis Is Da Drum. Butterfly is the opening track on Eddie Henderson's album Mahal (1978); the album features Hancock on keyboards

Track listing:

"Palm Grease" – 10:38
"Actual Proof" – 9:42
"Butterfly" (Hancock, Bennie Maupin) – 11:17
"Spank-A-Lee" (Hancock, Mike Clark, Paul Jackson) – 7:12

Personnel

Herbie Hancock – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hohner D-6 Clavinet, ARP Odyssey, ARP Soloist, ARP 2600, ARP String Ensemble
Bennie Maupin – soprano and tenor saxophones, saxello, bass clarinet, alto flute
Paul Jackson – electric bass
Mike Clark – drums
Bill Summers - percussion

Jaco Pastorius - 1981 [2013] "Word of Mouth"

Word of Mouth was the second album by Jaco Pastorius, released in 1981 while the bassist was a member of Weather Report, and also the name of a big band group that Pastorius assembled and with whom he toured from 1981 to 1983. While his debut album showcased his eclectic and impressive skills on the electric bass, Word of Mouth focused more on his ability to compose and arrange for a larger band than was previously featured on his first album. The album still shows off Pastorius' skill, most notably in the solo opening to the Bach-written "Chromatic Fantasy" and the title track, "Word of Mouth," in which Pastorius' bass is drenched in fuzzy distortion. "Crisis" also features a fast bass pattern looping, which runs under the frantic soloing. Most of the rest of the album's bass is highly subdued and blends into the band's arrangement, allowing them to shine through. The song "John and Mary" is dedicated to Jaco's children from his first marriage to Tracy; he had two other children, twin sons Julius and Felix with his second wife, Ingrid.
The band's all-star cast included Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker, Don Alias and Toots Thielemans who is featured on harmonica on many of the songs. Early pressings of the album did not include a list of musicians, though later releases listed only the names of the performers in respective, unnamed groups (for example, the main band was the first block of names.) The reason that early pressings of the album had no personnel listed was because Epic/CBS disputed Pastorius' contract with Warner, and only agreed to the album being released if no other CBS artists on the album were credited - prompting Pastorius to dispense with the credits altogether.

Track listing

All tracks written by Jaco Pastorius except where noted.

"Crisis" – 5:21*
"Three Views of a Secret" – 6:05
"Liberty City" – 11:57
"Chromatic Fantasy" (Johann Sebastian Bach) – 3:01
"Blackbird" (Lennon–McCartney) – 2:48
"Word of Mouth" – 3:53**
"John and Mary" – 10:52

For the original LP, Cassette and CD release, "Crisis" was 5:21. However, for reasons that are unclear, the current MP3 downloads cut the first three seconds of the improvisation. The 1981 Warner Brothers promo disc has the 5:17 listing for "Crisis."

Personnel

Herbie Hancock: Keyboards, Synthesizers, Piano
Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, Tom Scott: Saxophone
Toots Thielemans: Harmonica
Chuck Findley: Trumpet
John Clark: French horn
Howard Johnson: Tuba
Don Alias, Robert Thomas Jr.: : Percussion
Peter Erskine, Jack DeJohnette: Drums
Jaco Pastorius: Electric bass, acoustic bass, organ, piano, synthesizers, autoharp, percussion, vocals, drums on "Word Of Mouth"
Paul Horn-Muller: Steel pans
Othello Molineaux: Steel pan
John F. Pastorius IV: vocal on "John and Mary"
Michael Gibbs: Hanging out

Dave Weckl - 1998 "Rhythm Of The Soul"

Toss into the musical blender the spirits of Stevie Wonder, Crusaders, Van Halen, Sting, Dr. John, and Chick Corea; turn on the fire, low for easy simmering blues-rock at times, high for a fiery intensity that busts the borders between R&B and fusion. The result: the Dave Weckl Band's hard-to-categorize adventure, Rhythm of the Soul. Here, he celebrates his liberation from Corea's Elektric fold with a vengeance. The ensemble ventures into a variety of decades: the 70s, with Steve Tavaglione blowing percussive sax over Buzz Feiten's wah-wah over Jay Oliver's Fender Rhodes Crusaders feel; to the 60s, where, on "101 Shuffle," Weckl and Tom Kennedy lay a throbbing foundation based on Booker T's "Green Onions" for the playful interaction of saxman Bob Malach and Feiten; and even the 80s, where Gambale does his best Eddie Van Halen power guitar to drive the rockin' blues of "Access Denied." Weckl's skin and high-hat energy jumps out at every turn, most notably on the jams but also on the more subtly rhythmic "Mud Sauce" and the dreamy ballad "Song for Claire." Those tunes are the cool oases in the midst of the piping gumbo.

Tracklist

1 The Zone
2 101 Shuffle
3 Mud Sauce
4 Designer Stubble
5 Someone's Watching
6 Transition Jam
7 Rhythm Dance
8 Access Denied
9 Song For Claire
10 Big B Little B
11 Good Night

Personnel

Dave Weckl - drums
Jay Oliver - keyboards
Buzz Feiten - guitar
Also: Bob Malach, Steve Tavaglione, Tom Kennedy, Frank Gambale

Tribal Tech - 1991 "Tribal Tech"

Guitarist Scott Henderson is a fusion fanatic's dream, by virtue of his wild yet fluid and even melodic riffs. Bassist Gary Willis lacks Henderson's range compositionally and as a player, but still manages to keep the proceedings grooving. Backed by the keys of David Goldblatt, Joey Heredia's drums and the percussion of Brad Dutz, the two form a powerful musical bond as Tribal Tech. Unlike their previous album, TT's new disc features more melodies (the best ones, "Peru" and "Signal Path" are by Henderson), the softening effect of Goldblatt's key soloing and a tighter tune structure and production all around. There's still lots and lots of improvising, but on the less memorable Willis tunes, it seems to go on interminably. Pop jazz fans will finally be able to relate to Henderson's solid playing by virtue of a smoother context, but it's still mostly geared for the guitar lover or student. Extra credit is due for the very creative song titles, including "Elvis at the Hop" and "The Necessary Blond." 

Track listing

"Signal Path" (Scott Henderson) – 6:26
"Big Girl Blues" (Scott Henderson) – 6:15
"Dense Dance"(Gary Willis, Scott Willis) – 4:51
"Got Tuh B"(Gary Willis, Scott Willis) – 6:43
"Peru" (Scott Henderson) – 7:23
"Elvis At The Hop" (Scott Henderson) – 4:34
"The Necessary Blonde" (Gary Willis, Scott Willis) – 6:52
"Fight The Giant" (David Goldblatt) – 4:05
"Sub Aqua" (Scott Henderson) – 5:30
"Formula One" (Scott Henderson) – 4:44
"Wasteland" (Gary Willis) – 8:03

Personnel

Scott Henderson - guitar, guitar synthesizer
Gary Willis - bass, synthesizers
David Goldblatt - keyboards
Joey Heredia - drums
Brad Dutz - percussion

Jaco Pastorius - 2003 "Word Of Mouth Revisited"

It may be surprising to learn that legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius had deep roots in the big band tradition. His father Jack was a big band singer and drummer in the late '40s and early '50s, and in Jaco's early twenties he played for five years with the Peter Graves Orchestra, a progressive big band located in Ft. Lauderdale. Graves' orchestra gave Pastorius valuable experience writing and arranging – and provided a supportive environment for his blossoming genius.
Then in 1975 Pastorius left the band and released his self-titled debut album, which propelled him into the spotlight. His subsequent work with Weather Report, Pat Metheny, and Joni Mitchell continued his phenomenal rise. He still gigged with Graves whenever he was in Florida, and when he left Weather Report in 1982 he formed his big band Word of Mouth, hiring Graves and other members of his orchestra.
Twenty years later, Graves has returned the favor by forming the Jaco Pastorius Big Band and releasing Word of Mouth Revisited. Although this is clearly a personal project for Graves, his aims are broad: he wants to continue Pastorius' legacy (the bassist died in 1987) by presenting his songs and arrangements in a fresh setting, as well as showcase some of jazz's best electric bassists. Actually it's a heartfelt project for everyone involved; many of the musicians played with Pastorius, all of the bassists are indebted to him, and there's even fine bass work by Pastorius' nephew David. And to help involve the listener, the CD has soundbites of Pastorius conducting, giving a taste of the personality behind the talent.
All this plus fine musicianship yields an excellent collection that celebrates and explores Pastorius' prodigious gifts. There are early songs such as "Punk Jazz," "Cha Cha," "Opus Pocus," and "Domingo," as well as Weather Report favorites "Havona," "Teen Town," and "Barbary Coast." Pastorius even plays on the CD; Herbie Hancock's "Wiggle Waggle" features a Pastorius bass line lifted from a late '70s gig, supplemented by enthusiastic studio work. The bassists appearing on the recording are the cream of the crop: Victor Bailey, Richard Bona, Jimmy Haslip, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Gerald Veasley and Victor Wooten. Also notable are the enthusiastic and disciplined brass and woodwind sections.
Throughout the disc, the musicians give life to Pastorius' melodic grooves and uplifting rhythms, as compelling today as when they first appeared. The new technology and new voices bring Pastorius' work into the 21st century, where the seeds planted decades ago will surely continue to sprout.

Track Listing:

 1. Jaco Speaks 2. Havona 3. Teen Town 4. Jaco Speaks 5. Punk Jazz 6. Jaco Speaks 7. Barbary Coast 8. Killing Me Softly 9. Jaco Speaks 10. (Used to Be A) Cha Cha 11. Wiggle Waggle 12. Jaco Speaks 13. Continuum 14. Jaco Speaks 15. Elegant People 16. Opus Pocus 17. Peter & Jaco Speak 18. Domingo 19. Forgotten Love 20. Jaco Speaks 21. Punk Jazz Revisited

Personnel:

Victor Bailey - bass; Jaco Pastorius - bass; Randy Bernsen - guitar, koto; Peter Graves - conductor; Jimmy Haslip - bass; Gerald Veasley - bass; Joe Zawinul - keyboards; Michael Brignola - flute, bass clarinet, baritone sax, woodwinds; Ed Calle - clarinet, soprano sax, tenor sax, woodwinds; Kenneth Faulk - trumpet, flugelhorn, brass; Michael Levine - synthesizer, piano, keyboards; Christian McBride - bass; Marcus Miller - bass; Billy Ross - flute, piccolo, alto sax, soprano sax, woodwinds; Dana Teboe - trombone, brass; Victor Wooten - bass; John Kricker - bass trombone, brass; Mike Scaglione - flute, tenor sax; Jason Carder - trumpet, flugelhorn; Jeff Carswell - bass; Mark Griffith - drums; Gary Keller - clarinet, flute, alto sax, tenor sax; Gary Mayone - marimba; Michael "Patches" Stewart - trumpet; Jeff Kievit - trumpet, flugelhorn; Bobby Thomas, Jr. - hand drums; Richard Bona - bass; Roger Byman - soprano sax; Dave Pastorius - bass.

Tommy Bolin - 2012 "The Definitve Teaser Collectors Edition" [5 CD Box]

Guitarist Tommy Bolin elevated the role of journeyman to a high art. After leaving his home in Colorado, where he played with Energy and Zephyr, he worked with fusion drummers Billy Cobham and Alphonse Mouzon, joined a post-Joe Walsh James Gang, and went on to Deep Purple when Richie Blackmore left the group. All of this occurred before and during a solo career, which began with Teaser, a remastered, expanded version that confirms Bolin's versatility as guitarist, songwriter and singer. The original nine tracks resound with musicianship consisting of a varying lineup of sidemen including: Mahavishnu Orchestra keyboardistJan Hammer,Genesis drummer Phil Collins, and saxophonist David Sanborn. Tracks such as "Wild Dogs" and "Homeward Strut" show Bolin could lead a band in more ways than one.
The explosive funk-driven opening that is "The Grind" suggests Bolin's intelligent facility with a song, while the quiet likes of "Savannah Woman" reaffirms that songwriting skill— not to mention his natural instincts as a vocalist. The structure of the title song extends to the largely improvisational likes of the six unreleased numbers on two other discs of outtakes and alternate versions from the original sessions. They suggest the source of the continuing resonance of this album some forty years after its initial release and Bolin and co-producer/engineer Dennis McKay had plenty of ideas to work with as they used only those most effective.
Available on its own, as well as part of a box set with the expanded three-disc Teaser, a double-disc package titled Great Gypsy Soul furthers the concept of The Definitive Teaser Collector's Edition. One disc, co- produced by Gov't Mule guitarist Warren Haynes, finds such luminaries as guitarists Peter Frampton and John Scofield adding their readily identifiable styles to tracks from the original sessions, while the second disc is largely comprised of an original extended piece inspired by Bolin's instrumental "Marching Powder." Four movements include Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and Haynes, not to mention guitarist Derek Trucks, flashing his inimitable power, the sum effect of which is a focused, inspired music not just reminiscent of the album from which it is derived, but of a piece with it.
Other titles of Bolin remain available from his own archives, not to mention a second solo album Private Eyes (Columbia, 1976) and a two-CD version of his sole Deep Purple studio work Come Taste the Band (EMI, 2010). But, if the late lamented musician could choose a work by which to be remembered best, odds are in the favor of Teaser, and this package, notwithstanding its less than exemplary graphics design, documents why.
 
Track Listing:

CD1: Teaser Remastered: The Grind; Homeward Strut; Dreamer; Savannah Woman; Teaser; People, People; Marching Powder; Wild Dogs; Lotus.

CD2: Teaser Alternates and Outtakes: Teaser; Flying Fingers; Cookoo; Wild Dogs; Chameleon.

CD3: Teaser Alternates and Outtakes: Crazed Fandango; People, People; Smooth Fandango; Marching Powder; Homeward Strut; Oriental Sky (Lotus).

CD4: Great Gypsy Soul: The Grind; Dreamer; Savannah Woman; Smooth Fandango ; People People; Wild Dogs; Homeward Strut; Sugar Shack; Crazed Fandango; Lotus.

CD5: Great Gypsy Soul Bonus Disc: Flying Fingers; Marching Bag: Movements One through Four.

Personnel:

Tommy Bolin: guitar, vocals; Myles Kennedy: vocals; Glenn Hughes: vocals; Gordie Johnson: vocals, guitar; Peter Frampton: guitar; Derek Trucks: guitar; Warren Haynes: guitar; John Scofield: guitar; Gordie Johnson: guitar; Brad Whitford: guitar; Steve Lukather: guitar; Steve Morse: guitar; Nels Cline: guitar; Joe Bonamassa: guitar; Oz Noy: guitar; Sonny Landreth: guitar; David Sanborn: saxophone; David Foster: piano, synthesizer; Jan Hammer: synthesizer, drums; Ron Fransen: piano; Stanley Sheldon: bass; Paul Stallworth: bass; Terry Wilkins: bass; Al Cross; drums; Jeff Porcaro: drums; Prairie Prince: drums; Narada Michael Walden: drums; Bobby Berge: drums; Phil Collins: percussion; Sammy Figueroa: percussion; Rafael Cruz: percussion.

Tribal Tech - 1990 "Nomad"

Nomad is the third album by fusion band Tribal Tech, a project led by guitarist Scott Henderson and bassist Gary Willis.
Like its predecessors, Henderson's third date as a leader is a fine example of how creative and inspired genuine jazz-rock can be. Tough and aggressive yet full of appealing melodic and harmonic nuances, this CD contains not one iota of the type of lightweight smooth jazz or Muzak for which Henderson has often voiced his contempt. With Nomad, Tribal Tech underwent a few personnel changes, and for the first time, recorded an entire album minus a sax. While electric bassist Gary Willis, drummer Steve Houghton, and percussionist/mallet player Brad Dutz remained, saxman Bob Sheppard was gone, and keyboardist Pat Coil had been replaced by David Goldblatt. Despite these changes, Tribal Tech's sound (which was essentially guided by Henderson and Willis) remained easily recognizable. The '70s breakthroughs of Weather Report, Return to Forever, and John McLaughlin, among others, still had an impact on Tribal Tech, but by 1988, it was even more evident that Henderson was a fine soloist and composer in his own right. 

Track listing

"Renegade" (Gary Willis) – 5:51
"Nomad" (Scott Henderson) – 7:18
"Robot Immigrants" (Brad Dutz, David Goldblatt) – 5:09
"Tunnel Vision" (Gary Willis) – 4:43
"Elegy For Shoe" (David Goldblatt) – 4:09
"Bofat" (Scott Henderson) – 8:34
"No No No" (Gary Willis) – 5:53
"Self Defense" (Gary Willis) – 5:00
"Rituals" (Scott Henderson) – 5:44

Personnel

Scott Henderson - Guitars
Gary Willis - Bass
Brad Dutz - Mallets & Keyboards
David Goldblatt - Keyboards
Steve Houghton - Drums

Vital Tech Tones - 2000 "VTT2"

Talk about a power trio! Emphasizing the ROCK half of jazz-rock fusion, Vital Tech Tones brings together three monster players of the genre, blends their creative juices and virtuosic abilities, and creates a truly vital sound that reinvigorates and re-establishes fusion as a viable part of the musical landscape. Most of the songs on this recording started with drummer Steve Smith giving his rhythmic ideas to bassist-extraordinaire Victor Wooten, who developed a groove over which guitarist Scott Henderson worked melodies and harmonies. Such a simple, straight-forward, jam-oriented process is risky, but these three have the goods to pull it off, in the process creating a fresh electric music unique for its time.
Although VTT has been a studio-only side project for these three, they interact here as though they've been on the road together for several years. It's loud, it's raw, and it's awesome -- just what aging baby boomers need to cure their smooth jazz blues, just what generation X-ers need to take them away from the tedious sameness of the alt-rock world.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. VTT (1:33)
2. Subzero (7:06)
3. The Litigants (7:07)
4. Puhtainin' Tuh... (5:17)
5. Drums Stop, No Good (3:11)
6. Catch Me If U Can (4:24)
7. Nairobe Express (4:10)
8. Who Knew? (7:13)
9. Time Tunnel (4:41)
10. Chakmool-Ti (11:45)

Total Time 56:27

Personnel:

Steve Smith - drums
Scott Henderson - guitar
Victor Wooten - vocals, bass

Charlie Hunter Trio - 1995 "Bing, Bing, Bing!"

Bing, Bing, Bing!
Studio album by the Charlie Hunter Trio
Released 1995
Genre Post-bop, acid jazz, jazz rock
Label Blue Note Records
Bing, Bing, Bing! album by jazz musician Charlie Hunter. This was his first album for the Blue Note label and features his 8-string guitar.
The cover is a retro homage to Horace Parlan's 1960 album, Speakin' My Piece. The neon sign, 500 Club, is a landmark bar in San Francisco's Mission District, a few blocks away from the Elbo Room nightclub where the trio made a name for themselves (see Track 10).

Track listing

"Greasy Granny" – 4:34
"Wornell's Yorkies" – 3:58
"Fistful of Haggis" – 6:44
"Come as You Are" (Cobain) – 6:08
"Scrabbling for Purchase" – 4:49
"Bullethead" – 5:34
"Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing!" – 7:56
"Squiddlesticks" – 4:03
"Lazy Susan (with a client now)" – 6:15
"Elbo Room" – 5:58

Personnel

Charlie Hunter - 8-string guitar
Dave Ellis - Tenor saxophone
Jay Lane - Drums
David Phillips - Pedal steel guitar on tracks 3 and 7
Ben Goldberg - Clarinet on tracks 5 and 9
Jeff Cressman - Trombone on tracks 5 and 9
Scott Roberts - Percussion on tracks 2 and 3

Steps - 1979 [1999] "Smokin' In The Pit" [NYC]

In 1979 Mike Mainieri formed Steps (which later became Steps Ahead), an all-star jazz oriented R&B band that originally included such players as Mike Brecker, Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez and Steve Gadd in its line-up.

Now Steps’ groundbreaking debut CD has been rereleased as a 2-CD set with three previously unreleased ‘bonus tracks’ and alternate takes which were just recently discovered in the musician’s personal tape collections.

Personnel:
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Kazumi Watanabe
Piano – Don Grolnick
Tenor Saxophone – Mike Brecker*
Vibraphone – Mike Mainieri

Track listing:
Disc 1
1 Tee Bag
2 Uncle Bob (bonus track)
3 Fawlty Tenors
4 Lover Man
5 Fawlty Tenors (alternate take)
6 Song to Seth
7 Momento (bonus track)

Disc 2
1 Young and Fine
2 Not Ethiopia
3 Soul Eyes
4 Recordame (bonus track)
5 Not Ethiopia (alternate take)
6 Saras Touch

Enjoy!