SUSAN WEINERT BAND

Probably the most extraordinary thing happening on Point of View alongside Weinert's above par guitar is the absolutely unreal but true vocal abilities of Michael Schiefel! Wow! This guy has a dynamic range that is beyond androgynous. He wails so beautifully like a lady then swoops out of soprano and deep into octaves of the baritone boys. I actually had to e-mail Weinert to assure myself this was a man singing. Schiefel and Weinert do vox/string unison runs that bring goosebumps. She wails and bends notes right alongside the enchanting flurry of notes by songbird Schiefel. Scat has never sounded so very, very cool.

This is just one more recommended release in a string of goodies that Weinert and crew produce. Martin Weinert is acoustic bass throughout each song. Hardy Fischötter handles the drums like a pro everywhere. Nice job folks. Point of View will appeal to folks seeking great guitar in a mellower setting yet not compromising some edge here and there. Yeah, we get down and groove on the final cut, "No Warm-Ups", I told ya so. Superb, Susan and gang! You've outdone yourselves once again.

That jazz standards feel comes through here and there but this release retains Weinert's strong signature sound, slightly overdriven, and sustained warmly. Again that Scott Henderson aura is predominantly present but a certain Frank Gambale lilt and warmth of presence and tone is recurrent. Rachel Z comes and goes in keyboard washes and embellishings, interwoven wonderfully in Susan Weinert's delightful compositions. Hardy Fischötter plays the drums with perfection and evident purpose. On "Masters of the Midiverse" we are treated to a delicious Holdsworthian guitar-synth intro that melts into an oh-so-Metheny moment complete with brushes on drums and Rachel Z tinkling away in her butterfly kisses way. Very, very nice.

This release is an 11 song delight, track to track, with surprise after surprise of mellow wonder. The final cut, "Vinnie" again treads Holdsworthian waters in the composition's stylings early on but is also seems a subtle tribute to Vinnie Coliauta?, sounding at times like a cut from his recent solo release. Rachel Z gets to stretch a great deal here!

For those of you out there looking for great jazz guitar and splendid keys but want less screaming amps yet able to groove too -- The Bottom Line is just right for you. Recommended!

Weinert on guitar and guitar synth is joined by Martin Weinert on killer bass. He plays a full, melodic, funked groove of tight bounch and supreme heaviness. Hardy Fischötter slays the drums in precise devastation. Oliver Heuss guests on great keys.

From the opening cut, "Don't try that again, M.F." to "Maybe" the ride of ten sonic treats never fails to satisfy. This is a 12+ on a 1-10 scale of "Lame to Awesome". Yow!

Crunch Time by the Susan Weinert Band pulls out all the stops! Weinert wails and lets "edge" be edge. She makes you sit up and take notice. Her riffs are mean and slick and will make a lot of jazz fusion fans say, "Whoa baby, this lady can flat out jam!" Fans of Tribal Tech and Hendersonic pyrotechnics will love this.

This may be a 1994 release but hey -- great music is ageless, so seek this one out today! Highest recommendations!

Weinert gets her crunchiest and most raw electric-edged on the rockin' "Three Choices"and gives a taste of what her following release, Crunch Time would lean towards. There is that Ray Gomez, jazz fusion bluesy rock boogie happening all over the place on this one. That Tribal Tech feel is strongest on "A short story about Tofu". Weinert even tackles Mike Stern territory in her riffs on "Put me in coach, 'cause I'm the right man for that job". On "We've made some money, man?" I heard that Gambale/Henderson mix nearly 40/60.

This release serves to demonstrate just what great skill was beginning to blossom at Weinert's fingertips. Her later releases prove it clearly. Good stuff.