TRIBAL TECH

I remember getting a copy of this album when it first came out. My Uncle is a huge jazz fusion nut (and an excellent musician in his own right) and with his recommendation I took my first foray into a larger world. This is fusion at it's best. Scott Henderson is an absolute monster on guitar (check out his blues albums all you SRV fans, like Dog Party). He not only has incredible technique and chops, he plays with a passion that is so often missing from other fusion guitar tech gods. Gary Willis was one of the finest bassists around. Combined, they could do amazing things.

Big Girl Blues is one of the heaviest blues songs I've ever heard (and I have 3500 albums) and Scott's solo is absolutely killer. It isn't the only great song on the album, far from it. There isn't a dud in the lot, and that's hard to find these days. Signal Path and Elvis at the Hop are equally excellent recording showcasing their amazing skills while never losing sight of making music that's enjoyable to listen. After all, what's the purpose of having all the technical skills in the world if your music is boring?

I don't like to give out 5 star ratings, but this is an album that truly deserves it. If you are new to jazz fusion and come from a rock/metal background like I did; you can't go wrong with this album. Not only is it Tribal Tech's best album, it is one of the best albums in the entire jazz fusion genre. It is easily accessable to rock fans that like good musicianship; yet has all the sophistication and jaw dropping artistry you'd expect from leading jazz musicians. Too bad Mr. Willis got married, went to Spain, and left this band. The world may never known just how much it missed....