For all Prog, Rock, Fusion enthusiasts

rms · « **on:** 18 May 2008, 09:06 pm »

Planet X - Quantum; I've listened to it through my Westone UM2's with my Discman but this is the first time through the rig in the studio and WOW!!! Great recording quality, amazing playing. If you enjoy this kind of music ... I highly recommend that you get a copy and crank it up - it is fantastic! The cd features Derek Sherinian on keys (formerly of Dream Theater) Virgil Donati on drums (the Thunder from Down Under) Brett Garsed on guitar and the great Allan Holdsworth on two tracks with Jimmy Johnson (you may have seen him playing bass with James Taylor among others!) and Rufus Philpot also on bass. If you're not sure listen to a few tracks at their website first; xplanetx.com because it is pretty intense, not everybody's going to like this, but it is a great sounding recording. While I'm at it I was also listening to Marcus Miller's M2 the other day and WOW!! Okay, I could go on and on, but I just had to share.

PC>flac>asio>emu 0404>AVA Omegastar DAC>B&K Pro10MC>Hafler DH-500>SP Tech Continuum

- rms

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 May 2008, 10:18 pm »

Ever heard of Planet P?

Wayner

rms · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 May 2008, 11:26 pm »

Nope - just checked 'em out at Amazon, sounds interesting - surprised I haven't heard them before, thanks.

simoon · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 May 2008, 12:08 am »

I''m a huge Planet X fan! I actually think "Moonbabies" is a little better than "Quantum", despite Quantum having Alan Holdsworth on it.

I've seen them play several times in L.A.

I'm also a big prog and fusion fan, both classic and new school.

Another artist you may be interested in is Ale MacHachek, a phenomenal guitarist that has a nice selection of CD's in his early career. "Improvision" with Jeff Sipe (drums) and Matthew garrison (bass) is his newest. Also [SIC] with Terry Bozzio is another incredible work.

Also check into Scott McGill, Rene Engel, Mats/Morgen, 7for14 for some more world class fusion.

rms · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 May 2008, 01:41 am »

Hey Simoon - I agree with you about Moonbabies - phenomenal recording, and Tony Macalpine is beyond words. However Quantum just blew me out of my chair today - I swear I felt like the guy in that old Memorex commercial! I sure wish I could see them live - that must be amazing! Hopefully they'll do a DVD. The next best thing for me is "Live from Oz" If you don't already have that one, buy it now! It's actually my favorite of all I have heard from them because the recording quality is decent (actually pretty darn good) and they just nail the songs. Incredible that anybody can play that well.

Thanks for the other recommendo's - that's what I am hoping for - more new stuff to check out.

Are you a Tribal Tech fan? That is another phenomenal group with the members having done lots of other great recordings as well. The bassist Gary Willis started with Wayne Shorter and Wayne Johnson, formed TT with Scott Henderson, and has since done some great stuff with Dennis Chambers, Brett Garsed, Peter Szendofi, Sebastiaan Cornelissen (phenomenal drummer - look him up on youtube). And Scott's stuff on his own and with Vital Tech Tones is incredible!

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!

doorman · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2008, 02:12 am »

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread (!) I fully agree Scott Henderson/Gary Willis, et at are killer as Tribal Tech. Anyone here a Shawn Lane, Jeff Sipe, Jonas Hellborg fan ? IMHO some of the most creative fusion I've heard. Check out any of 'em like, "Personae", "Good people in times of evil" etc, etc.
Great thread ! Don

simoon · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 May 2008, 02:55 am »

Quote from: rms on 19 May 2008, 01:41 am

Hey Simoon - I agree with you about Moonbabies - phenomenal recording, and Tony Macalpine is beyond words. However Quantum just blew me out of my chair today - I swear I felt like the guy in that old Memorex commercial! I sure wish I could see them live - that must be amazing! Hopefully they'll do a DVD. The next best thing for me is "Live from Oz" If you don't already have that one, buy it now! It's actually my favorite of all I have heard from them because the recording quality is decent (actually pretty darn good) and they just nail the songs. Incredible that anybody can play that well.

Thanks for the other recommendo's - that's what I am hoping for - more new stuff to check out.

Are you a Tribal Tech fan? That is another phenomenal group with the members having done lots of other great recordings as well. The bassist Gary Willis started with Wayne Shorter and Wayne Johnson, formed TT with Scott Henderson, and has since done some great stuff with Dennis Chambers, Brett Garsed, Peter Szendofi, Sebastiaan Cornelissen (phenomenal drummer - look him up on youtube). And Scott's stuff on his own and with Vital Tech Tones is incredible!

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming!

Big Tribal Tech fan also! Scott Henderson is incredible. I've seen him play quite a bit also.

Check out drummers Marco Minneman, Thomas Lang, and Jonnie Rabb on YouTube also.

On the more prog side of things, have you heard of The Flower Kings (Sweden), Deus Ex Machina (Italy), Echolyn (USA), Oblivion Sun (USA), NeBeLNeST (France) just to name a few modern prog bands.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 May 2008, 10:12 am »

A live taste.....

Planet X - Quantum factor live 2003...

Tribal Tech - "Nite Club"

Marcus Miller - "Run For Cover"

Alex Machacek/Matt Garrison/Jeff Sipe - "Improvision"

The Flower Kings - "Last Minute On Earth"

John Mclaughlin and Jonas Hellborg

Shawn Lane - "Personae" (Live)

Marco Minnemann - "The Jackhammer"

Brand X - "True To The Click"

Vital Information - "Side Way Blues"

BobM · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 May 2008, 01:58 pm »

Here's a few more that you Fusion guys might enjoy:

Niacin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHemao4YKQk

Liquid Tension Experiment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWvrtA-UV0c

Bill Bruford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWG8uKaFyfA

Frank Gambale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjyqMZKeaPM

Jean Luc Ponty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9XHFqCvMIY

Here's one not to be found on You Tube but they should be checked out anyway you can:

Uncle Moe's Space Ranch

Enjoy,
Bob

doorman · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 May 2008, 06:21 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 19 May 2008, 10:12 am

A live taste.....

Planet X - Quantum factor live 2003...

Tribal Tech - "Nite Club"

Marcus Miller - "Run For Cover"

Alex Machacek/Matt Garrison/Jeff Sipe - "Improvision"

The Flower Kings - "Last Minute On Earth"

John Mclaughlin and Jonas Hellborg

Shawn Lane - "Personae" (Live)

Marco Minnemann - "The Jackhammer"

Brand X - "True To The Click"

Vital Information - "Side Way Blues"

All great choices! -throw in some "Aquarium rescue unit", "Material", and Victor Wooten for good measure---
Don

rms · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 May 2008, 01:20 am »

Thanks Lonewolfny, doorman, Wayner, BobM and Simoon for all the great stuff to check out!

And here's a few more;

Gary Willis, Peter Szendofi - Loop Doctors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOoV-yWZuD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGmgw4YSM0

(These guys have a great new CD out called Triangel - I got it here; http://cdbaby.com/found?allsearch=peter+szendofi&submit=search)

Gary Willis, Sebastian Cornelissen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KIswJS6UZs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8FLpoBcEuE&feature=related

Project Object;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwxXuOtm7yI

The Phenomenal Dominique De Piazza - and this one has pretty good sound quality for Youtube as a bonus;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCdGO2PZC-0

One of my all time favorite groups;
Tower of Power - Rocco and David Garibaldi!!! Doc and Emilio Castillo!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92tzDtUT22o
(Not exactly Fusion or Prog but I couldn't resist throwing it in - they have been such a huge influence on many musicians)

And back to fusion;
Marc Guillermont, Sebastiaan Cornelissen, Frans Vollink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZI-u4sYsmY

satfrat · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 May 2008, 08:02 am »

Just to change the flavor a touch, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXSooelfRIg

Lionel Loueke: Karibu (2008)

Cheers,
Robin

BobM · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 May 2008, 11:44 am »

Notice on the fusion front you generally only have to look through the output of a few people to check out the major players in the genre these days.

I mean, look who Gary Willis is playing with - damn near everyone. One leads to 20 that lead to 60 more groups. In fact it is so different than mainstream that most fusion bands don't last more than an album or two before reforming with different fusion players into another group.

One hit wonders or just musicians aching to play with other people?

Bob

BTW - I really liked the Peter Szendofi tracks from Triangel, so I downloaded the MP3's from Amazon. Guess who plays bass on it (duh, see above).

rms · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 May 2008, 01:32 pm »

Thanks Satfrat - I had heard of Lionel but never actually listened to him, another one added to my buy list.

Bob - I may have skewed this thread towards Gary Willis since I have been a big fan of his for many years, but you're right, he is playing with a lot of the top names in fusion. Tribal Tech actually had a 12 year run with 9 CD's released, 10 years and 7 of those CD's featured the same lineup - though they were definately the exception in fusion. I know it's not about money for him, because he really isn't making much. He goes for music and musicians that he enjoys playing with, finds challenging, or leads him down a somewhat different path as with Slaughterhouse 3. I think that his solo CD's "Bent" and "No Sweat" are 2 of the greatest jazz / fusion recordings ever. But if you look at the drummer from those recordings - Dennis Chambers - you see another guy who has played / is playing with everybody in fusion, from Bunny Brunel and CAB to Niacin to Steely Dan! However the two new drummers Willis is working with, Sebastiaan Cornelissen and Peter Szendofi, are both doing some great things with their own groups. Sebastiaans CD "One Spirit" with Frans Vollink on bass, Rob Van Bavel on keys, and Randy Brecker guesting is truly fantastic, I highly recommend it. He also has a new recording due out this fall.
http://www.sebastiaancornelissen.com/ And did you check out his playing with Marc Guillermont? That guy is a phenomenal guitarist - sound quality is not very good on Youtube but he will be featured on Sebastiaans new album with Frans Vollink on bass.

And Peter is an amazing drummer, his stuff with Loop Doctors is fun and different.
http://www.peterszendofi.com/

I think you're right that there are a few major players who are staying very busy and get a lot of attention, but there are many other great players as well that need to be heard. When I find out about those guys I buy their stuff and try to see them live. And so far with this thread I have added quite a bit to my Amazon and CDBaby wish lists.

JoshK · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 May 2008, 01:49 pm »

I am going to have to finish listening to those examples.

I think the comments on youtube regarding the Planet X clip are funny. Its definitely a different style of music writing (testosterone induced....

). Definitely not verse chorus verse. I could probably only take so much of that.

I like the innovation and technical side of it but it still misses the song structure that speaks to the soul. I kind of like my prog that straddles the fence, like Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, etc. Even with Dream Theater, I like a few albums that is more about the songs then invitation to shredd.

simoon · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 May 2008, 06:38 am »

I think I’ll keep the thread going with some more recommendations!

Hiromi Uehara – phenomenal female jazz/fusion keyboard player from Japan! Her piano solo in the following clip kills and doesn’t stop killing!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6pgM-NVfWg&feature=related

Spaced Out – amazing Canadian heavy fusion band. Pay particularly close attention to the incredible bass playing by Antoine Fafard.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IXemVR5IN-o&feature=user

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZXKmrifecUw&feature=user

Arti e Mestieri – prog fusion band from Italy with emphasis on the prog. Incredible melodies with fusion chops. “Tilt” is a must have for any prog or fusion fan. Furio Chirico is the best drummer from Italy, his hands are so fast its sick! In the following clip he’s about 53 or 54!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yu5xb4fatmk&feature=related

The Underground Railroad – prog band from the US that boarders on avant-garde. Sounds like Genesis put through a blender with Stravinsky. Kurt Rongy (keys) and Bill Pohl (guitar) are especially talented.

Unfortunately the only clip is a short one of a guitar solo.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_GJ7uGE4Ygs

OHM – great fusion band from my home town of L.A. Lead by ex Megadeath guitarist Chris Poland. Also has Ginger Baker’s son, Kofi on drums.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pgrACYkXFqY

Echolyn – prog from the US. Very complex but with great feel and that can “rock” when needed. Great use of multi part vocal harmonies ala Gentle Giant. Suffocating the Bloom and As the World are the most "progressive", but they're all great.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DgaCALZR2UA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aA6Ht230WgE&feature=related

After Crying – prog band from Hungary. They started doing “chamber prog” but have become more electric and symphonic over the years. De Profundis and Megalazotak es Megszomoritotak are probably their best releases, but “6”, Overground Music and Fold es Eg are very close. No fusion in this band, just pure unadulterated classically influenced progressive music played by some conservatory trained musicians.

These 2 clips are not their best material (by far) but well give you an idea.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pwhR27ciPsk&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GyyKq5M_vww

And last but far from least,

Deus Ex Machina – from Italy. Intense prog band with amazing chops and a vocalist with a 5 octave range that sings in Latin. Sometimes experimental, sometimes fusion. One of the best currently active prog bands. De Republica, Cinque, and Equilibrismo da Insofferenza are must haves.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UVm3v5VTxng

BobM · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 May 2008, 12:51 pm »

Some great links there to some little known prog bands. But they are somewhat more on the prog rock side of the house then the prog fusion side.

Here's a few more clips that I found in the same vein:

Ozric Tentacles (spacy prog metal fusion/rock)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86zEObmr4MU

Lenny White
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PuKYiLSfnQ

Tony Williams (especially his Lifetime group's 1st album - but I can't find anything from this period on You Tube except this solo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv4BCuJy-do

Vertu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DitGkUsu9O0

Caldera (a great oldie without any footage anywhere)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB2l8M48j0A

Stanley Clark (in his many iterations - here with Victor and Marcus, 2 others to check out)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrav_MSMjNs

Return to Forever (maybe the best of the electronic fusion era)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3sT5Ucyw_0

John Scofield (strange blusey fusiony jazzy guitar god)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRzFaurWyjc

Weather Report (with Jaco of course)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQlSSOXU6A

Steps Ahead (with the late great Michael Brecker)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HQa5so4Fow

Porcupine Tree (one more, I can't help it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUnAxegUJu0

satfrat · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 May 2008, 05:17 am »

Quote from: BobM on 21 May 2008, 12:51 pm

Some great links there to some little known prog bands. But they are somewhat more on the prog rock side of the house then the prog fusion side.

Here's a few more clips that I found in the same vein:

Ozric Tentacles (spacy prog metal fusion/rock)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86zEObmr4MU

Lenny White
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PuKYiLSfnQ

Tony Williams (especially his Lifetime group's 1st album - but I can't find anything from this period on You Tube except this solo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv4BCuJy-do

Vertu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DitGkUsu9O0

Caldera (a great oldie without any footage anywhere)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB2l8M48j0A

Stanley Clark (in his many iterations - here with Victor and Marcus, 2 others to check out)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrav_MSMjNs

Return to Forever (maybe the best of the electronic fusion era)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3sT5Ucyw_0

John Scofield (strange blusey fusiony jazzy guitar god)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRzFaurWyjc

Weather Report (with Jaco of course)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQlSSOXU6A

Steps Ahead (with the late great Michael Brecker)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HQa5so4Fow

Porcupine Tree (one more, I can't help it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUnAxegUJu0

I had everything but Ozric Tentacles covered. Now THAT is some heady stuff and I now have 4 of their albums, Erpland, Strangeitude, Jurassic Shift, and The Hidden Step. This is some real sweet British head goo,,,thanks Bob!

Cheers,
Robin

satfrat · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 May 2008, 05:29 am »

Quote from: simoon on 21 May 2008, 06:38 am

I think I’ll keep the thread going with some more recommendations!

OHM – great fusion band from my home town of L.A. Lead by ex Megadeath guitarist Chris Poland. Also has Ginger Baker’s son, Kofi on drums.

There's a number of bands with these same initials so for clarification it should be Ohm: and here's an album of theirs by the same name.

Cheers,
Robin

satfrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 May 2008, 02:04 am »

Guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Victor Bailey and drummer Lenny White fuse together jazz, R&B and rock in TRAFFIC, a 2005 jamfest.

Cheers,
Robin