Dennis Chambers - 1992 "Getting Even"

Dennis Chambers (born May 9, 1959) is an American drummer. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2001.

Chambers began drumming at the age of four years, and was gigging in Baltimore-area nightclubs by the age of six. He was recruited in 1981 by the Sugar Hill Label to be their "house drummer." Chambers played on many Sugar Hill releases, including "Rapper's Delight".
In an interview by Bonedo in 2011, Chambers was asked who some of his influences and favorite drummers were and he mentioned Clyde Stubblefield, Al Jackson Jr., Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary Husband, Jack Dejohnette, Billy Cobham, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, and Tony Williams. Wiki.

Originally released in 1991, this hard-to-find Fusion recording is worth searching for. This session features the brilliant drumming of Dennis Chambers, who was just coming into his own at this stage of his career. The selections are fairly typical to the music Chambers was playing with John Scofield, who he uses here on a few tracks, along with another former employer, guitarist Mike Stern. The chemistry with Scofield, Stern, saxophonist Bob Berg and keyboardist Jim Beard is obvious as the three have worked together on several sessions. The temptation to overplay here is addressed by a strong dedication to the groove and by allowing each player ample space. Aside from Chambers' innovative and powerful drumming, the session's excitement is enhanced by the rousing playing of guitarist Jimi Tunnell. While this debut is not in the same class as Stratus (Billy Cobham) or Essence of Mystery (Alphonse Mouzoun), Dennis Chambers demonstrates why he is considered to be one of the most innovative and important players in the history of drumming. This debut is a fine representation of his playing, although fans are encouraged to seek out his extensive discography as a 'sideman' to appreciate his full contributions.  All Music.

First of all,I feel very lucky myself because of having this original unbelievable wonderful CD.I'm proud of having this album.I have looked for this disc many years..This album is valuable for me like other Chambers's albums.So I paid the price of it for a second without my eye's move.Still I keep this album's bill and the shopping date of it with the CD in the CD box.That's why I'm a huge Dennis Chambers fan.He's my man and my favourite musician in the world.Some of my hobbies are collecting his original bands,his discs,his vhs videos and now dvds past or present..I like his playing,his all the energy,his all the plan,his musicality(musical playing),his technical playing,his perfect and serious moves,his incredible solos,and his all the atmosphere much behind the drum setup.I like Dennis Chambers's touching to the drumkit..I like the sound much which comes from his drum setup.In this great jazz-fusion album that titled ''getting even'' shows Dennis's musical success and he does very important moves on some of tracks.Like always Dennis is at his wildest in this disc for me and one of the excellent albums all of times according to me.Musical director Jim Beard,producer Takao Ogawa.And the other musicians are:Jim Beard,Anthony Jackson,Gary Grainger,John Scofield,Jimi Tunnell,Bob Berg and Victor Williams,they are very good.Thank you Mr.Dennis Chambers for your greatest playing and for your greatest moments behind the pearl drum setup... By Koray Taskin.

I bought and loved this CD. Some drummers, like Cobham, Gadd, and others, seem to disappear with age. Dennis just gets faster. I actually played in the Dunbar High School Jazz Band with Dennis in Baltimore back in the 70's, and he was amazing then. He BLAZING now !!! This CD was excellent, but he didn't get the chance to break loose on it. Myself and some of the other former members of our high school band, travelled down to Blues Alley in DC last night to watch and listen to the world's greatest drummer with Mike Stern, and we were not disappointed. We, just as much as any other musician that made the trip, did so to watch the usually mesmerizing Chambers solo and we got a LOT more than we paid for. You could hear the licks, but your eyes couldn't keep up with his hands. In short, BUY THIS CD. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. JEROME THOMPSON 

Tracks Listing

1. Fortune Dance (5:53)
2. The Opener (4:22)
3. Keep Walking (6:10)
4. Red Eyes (6:17)
5. Getting Even (7:29)
6. Widow's Peak (5:54)
7. Boo (5:53)
8. Until We Return (8:09)

Total Time 48:47

Line-up / Musicians

- Dennis Chambers / drums (Track 1-8)
- Anthony Jackson / bass (Track 3-5, 8)
- Gary Grainger / bass (Track 1,2,6,7)
- John Scofield / guitar (Track 3,4,5,8)
- Jimi Tunnel / guitar (Track 1,2,6,7)
- Jim Beard / keyboards (Track 1-8)
- Bob Berg / tenor sax (Track 1-4, 6,8)
- Victor Williams / percussion (Track 1-5, 7-8)