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CAB follows up their
popular 1998 premiere with CAB 2,
adding Brian Auger on keyboards to the all-star lineup. If you
like the initial release by CAB, you will probably like some of CAB
2, if not all of it. CAB
2 is similar to the original, self-titled
release by CAB in its sound, texture, and compositional style.
The music is centered around themes with complex melodies that
explore nonstandard, fusion-oriented harmonization. The tracks
are groove-based, setting down progressions characterized by
unusual, jazzish tonality and complicated rhythms that the
instruments then trade off lead work over when they are not
collaborating on a theme.
Being a fan of MacAlpine,
I have to admit that I picked up the original CAB
and CAB 2 primarily to
see what he was doing on them. And, MacAlpine's playing is
interesting and blazing fast in spots, as I would expect. But,
what I didn't expect is that I would like Bunny Brunel's bass
playing so much, especially since I am not a big bass follower.
Because it was unexpected for me, I think Brunel pretty much
steals the stage on this one. He has several exceptional solos
and his playing in general is good throughout, though all of the
instrumentation is good and none is lacking. I think it
definitely says a lot that Brunel's bass work caught the
attention of a guitar-centric listener like myself. He has a
great feel that he conveys in his playing and approaches the bass
more like a solo instrument taking advantage of string stretching
and other effects to give the bass lines and solos character
beyond what you might here with a more conventional bass player.
Brian Auger also brings a new dimension to the group with his
angle on the keys, but his playing is not that far off from the
MacAlpine fusion sound from the CAB premiere. Auger definitely
lends some stylish improvisation and speedy solos to the effort.
And, Dennis Chambers adds his savvy brand of fusion drumming to
the mix to give the sound another dimension and more depth.
My favorites from CAB
2 are "Decisions" with its themes
that balance tonal complexity with accessibility; "South
Side" with its catchy groove and smoking bass, keyboard, and
guitar lead work; and "Top Spin" with its solos, and
especially Bunny's cool bass solo. But, I was a little
disappointed that the group did not capture the electricity on
any tracks like they did on "Elastic Man" from the the
first CAB release. However, CAB 2
still delivers a solid effort from the group.
If you like melody-centric
music that develops themes around exploratory tonality with
jazzish foundations that goes outside but not out of the solar
system and you like equally-matched improvisation trading off
between guitar, keys, bass and percussions, then CAB
2 is something you should check out. Or, if
you are a jazz-oriented bass player or have any interest in
jazzish bass you should check out Bunny Brunel's exceptional
playing on this effort.
| 1) Decisions |
| 2) Madeline |
| 3) Dennis |
| 4) For
Joe |
| 5) South
Side |
| 6) Song
For My Friend |
| 7) Temperamental |
| 8) Top
Spin |
| 9) Wah
Wah |
| 10) Sunday |
~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com
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CAB makes its debut with
drummer extraordinaire Dennis Chambers, renowned axeman and
keyboardist Tony MacAlpine, and bouncing bassman Bunny Brunel
teaming up to serve up a collection of aggressive jazz fusion
tracks to expand MacAlpine's scope further into this genre that
the others already have a firm foothold. The tracks on CAB can be
characterized as funk/groove-oriented, theme-centric arrangements
having an aggressive drive to them but that are balanced with
complex yet digestible rhythms, tonal backdrops, exploratory yet
accessible themes, and lead work that trades off between bass,
guitar, keys, and drums bringing to view the talents of all three
contributors. The format seems to be a forum mainly to display
the improvisational capabilities in the realm of fusion for the
three comparably matched solo acts that collaborate on this
effort. CAB is reminiscent of the rock group Cream in concept,
but with a jazz fusion spin-off. CAB
is definitely leaning toward the rock edge of fusion in its feel,
guitar work, and arrangements, though it does seem that Brunel
and Chambers are tugging the rope vehemently in the other
direction. And, it is kind of a paradox that MacAlpine's keyboard
work on this effort is more jazz-oriented than rock, and yet his
lead guitar work has a decisive rock edge to it.
CAB
takes it straight to you with "Night Splash", a track
that is pretty representative of what you are in for with this CD.
"Night Splash" lays out the format of improvisation
built around shared thematic development as a center with the
improvisation collaborated by all four instruments involved,
usually with one instrument in the spotlight, and definitely with
all instruments being managed by players of near-equally matched
skills in the supergroup tradition. What is nice about this
format is that the thematic center gives some cohesion to the
track that the improvisation can then venture out from and return
to when it is time to trade off. This format works well for me as
a listener.
There are a number of
tracks on CAB that
make it worthwhile, each having a different feel that is pulled
from some different influence or creative facility. In fact, the
effort is pretty solid from beginning to end. So, if you like
jazz fusion with a rock edge, it is a good one to pick up. Some
of the other tracks that grabbed my attention were "So There
Is Love", "Boogie Me", and my favorite on the
album, "Elastic Man".
I think the CAB formula
works best on the track "Elastic Man" that sets a nice
backdrop with the smooth jazzish progressions, grooving rhythms
and spunky basslines, that are contrasted by the opening, teasing
theme. This backdrop and intro are then decimated first with
MacAlpine's soulful keyboard solo and then his full-frontal
assault of ripping guitar work featuring some really cool muted,
speedy runs that gives the track its character and title.
MacAlpine then with a single grinding stretch lets you know that
it is time to pull out the stops and lets the shrapnel fly with
some shredding that works nicely over the jazz foundations. If
that weren't enough, Brunel lays down some incredible bass work
throughout and especially in his solo that is able to keep things
going even after MacAlpine's inspired solo that doesn't leave
much room for conversation afterwards. I think that "Elastic
Man" is the type of arrangement that would have a broad
appeal that spans well beyond the jazz fusion listening audience...
it is coooool!!! {8{)
I enjoyed CAB
for its listener accessibility, aggressive brand of rock-edged
fusion, and impressive soloing, especially on bass and guitar,
though the keboards and drumming are really entertaining too! The
tonality is both interesting and satisfying. But, from an
listener's viewpoint it is good how CAB balances complexity and
jazz-isms with listener accessibility; a touch juggling act for
any arranger, but one that CAB has pulled off pretty well.
| 1) Night
Splash |
| 2) CAB |
| 3) So
There Is Love |
| 4) Just
Perfect |
| 5) One
For Stern |
| 6) The
Watcher |
| 7) Atamanashi |
| 8) Boogie
Me |
| 9) Elastic
Man |
| 10) Bernard |
~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com
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