Being widely known as the former drummer for "everybody's favorite arena rock band" Journey, Steve Smith has shined even brighter than his past doing the jazz/rock fusion bid on his own terms, long establishing himself beyond his days pounding the skins for the arena heavyweights. Having surrounded himself with several different virtuoso musicians (that's musicians, not egos) from both the jazz and metal vein, Smith's identity as one of both rock and jazz's finest drummers has long been established.
With his latest project, Smith brings along friends, guitarist Frank Gambale, keyboardist Tom Coster, and bassist Baron Browne to round out this project. Although more relative to Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock rather than Dream Theater; the whole progressive fusion and improvisation applies with the elements of funk, metal, jazz, and soul that are present; which is the same way Niacin creates their material.
The Eastern ethnic funk of
"Beneath the Surface;" the soul organ grinding guitar shred jam of
"Cat Walk" and
"A Little Something;" and the Russian inspired fusion of
"Fine Line" round out this group's stature in the jazz/rock world and continues Smith's knack for being able to fuse this material without going into "Weather Channel" music territories, being fairly energetic throughout.
While Smith adds world percussion to the mix, Gambale adds a more jazz inspired tone at times, perfect to compliment the occasional slaps and pops on the bass and the Hammond and Rhodes used throughout the recording, all blended in with the key and odd time signatures to satisfy any Berklee student or fusion fanatic. Smith has again, created another record of complicated compositions.
Written by
Hashman Thursday, December 2, 2004
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