What’s new on FusionGroovin

Find 9 minutes to check out this smokin’ video of Cosmosquad’s “Epapo Funk”, one of FusionGroovin’s favorites on the playlists. Recorded live at Baked Potato on 02/12/2004, with Jeff Kollman on guitar, Shane Gaalaas on drums and Paul Shannon on bass.

I just came across a fantastically well-written piece by the highly entertaining Gary Willis, making the case against file sharing, or as he calls it, “unpaid downloading”.

FusionGroovin will continue to, as it has from day one, purchase every tune played on the station, unless it was directly submitted by the artist. We listeners of jazz-rock fusion must support the artists whose work we so enjoy. What right do any of us have to imply or demand that their work be delivered to our ears for free?

Again, read (and in this case, share!) the post.

Another mighty wave of new music is hitting those Cat-5 cables today. Eighteen tracks to be exact, nearly two hours of killer grooves, from

• Alex Broshodsky: self titled
• Ed DeGenaro: “Dog House”
• Elfferich Four: “Eccentricity”
• Family Groove Company: “Charmer”
• Nordal Twang: “Nordal Twang”

Keep those votes coming in, as they really help me decide on song rotations. Special thanks to all the fans who’ve taken the time to write and make suggestions. It’s much appreciated!

Finally — the drought of new music on the station has ended, and with a bang. I’ve just added 37 new tracks to the station, from the following fantastic discs:

Butterhead - Live ‘98
Cique - Cique
Oz Noy - Fuzzy
Patrick Charles - Cite Soleil
PRISM - Blue…
PRISM - Peace
TRIX - Force
Jim Weider - Percolator

This represents the biggest single turnover in FusionGroovin’s nearly 6-year history, and makes for some amazing listening. Check ‘em out!

Many of my absolute favorite fusion recordings are from trios, and this disc immediately makes that list. Check out eight perfect-for-FusionGroovin tracks, from Tom Burda on guitar, Joe Hanley on Hammond organ, and Jed Devine on drums.

Another outstanding trio recording to add to the list (and this one being live to boot), with Charles David Stuart on drums and percussion, Duffy King on guitar, James Simonson on Bass and Mark Byerly on trumpet. Seven tracks, not to be missed.

Check out six tracks off of Jeff’s latest tribute disc, this time to Jeff Beck. Jeff plays rhythm and solo guitar, and is joined by Vinnie Colaiuta and Simon Phillips on drums, Stu Hamm on Bass, Mitchel Forman on keyboards, and a different solo guitarist on each track, including (in addition to Jeff), Steve Morse, John Scofield, Eric Johnson, Adam Rogers, Mike Stern, Warren Haynes, Chris Duarte, Greg Howe and Walter Trout.

Check out four tracks off of Richard Hallebeek’s self titled disc “Richard Hallebeek Project”. Featuring Richard Hallebeek on guitar, Lale Larson on keyboards, Udo Pannekeet on bass, Bas Cornelissen on drums, with special guests Shawn Lane and Brett Garsed on additional guitar.

Another trio, another great disc. OK, so there will be moments on this disc where you think I’ve slipped in some organ outtakes off of ELP’s “Tarkus” — Hammond lovers take note. The lineup is Jeff Babko on keys, Jeff Coffin on woodwinds and Vinnie on drums. One listen will reaffirm these guys as masters of their craft. Be sure to check out Jeff’s notes on the album, and enjoy four completely distinctive tracks out on the station.

Here’s a fast-paced recording from 1990, by a trio consisting of Mike Miller on guitars, Jim Lacefield on bass and Ralph Humphrey on drums. The recording grew out of a long term relationship the guys had playing together, as well as their teaching at the The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. The tunes take all kinds of tasty turns, with messrs. Lacefield and Humphrey laying down a thick groove throughout. All the more impressive is that the disc was recorded live. Enjoy five tracks in “heavy rotation” on the station now.