FusionGroovin Blog

Drummer Craig Pilo writes: “At some point, I honestly feel it’s important to let the critics be critics, and for better or worse – Just Play”. I’m betting you’ll be happy with the playing Craig and the band lay down on this disc. Simply outstanding jazz, crisply recorded from a lengthy all-star cast. Appearing on the tracks I’m playing are Mitchel Forman and Ed Czach with some truly blistering Fender Rhodes work, Burt Samolis, Keith Hubacher, Jim King, Tom Kennedy and David Enos each on some equally blistering bass lines, Roman Dudok on sax, with Pilo keeping the rhythm locked and loaded and filled with particularly tasty cymbal work. Check out Craig’s website at www.craigpilo.com.

Japan’s funk fusion band CASIOPEA joins FusionGroovin’s playlists with three tracks off of their “Bitter Sweet” album. This is a tiny fraction of a huge discography dating back to 1979. Those of you looking for upbeat tunes with a thick groove will not be disappointed. CASIOPEA is Issei Noro on guitars, Minoru Mukaiya on keyboards, Yoshihiro Naruse on bass and M6 programming, and Akira Jimbo on drums. Check ‘em out on FusionGroovin, and at http://www.casiopea.co.jp/.

José de Castro’s bluesy, funky guitar tone returns to FusionGroovin via his third album, “Conversation”. José is joined by Melvin Lee Davis and J. Vera on bass, Enzo Filippone on drums, Denis Bilanin on keyboards and Iñaki Quiano on Hammond Organ. José’s tunes have been a real listener favorite on the station — here are three more tracks in the same vein. Visit his website at http://www.josedecastro.net/.

Continuing with his tribute-to-the-masters series, guitarist Jeff Richman has produced yet another blockbuster disc paying musical respects to the work of Carlos Santana. The core band consists of Peter Wolf on keyboards, Dave Weckl on drums, Abraham Laboriel on bass, Luis Conte on percussion and vocals, with Jeff adding additional guitars. Each slammin’ track features a different lead guitarist carrying the melody and solos. To that end, I’m playing tracks featuring Vinnie Moore, Jeff Richman, Eric Gales, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford and Coco Montoya. In “heavy rotation”, not to be missed.

Guitarist John Czajkowski has produced “The Great American Road Trip”, with Darren “D-Ride” DeBree on drums, Harley Magsino on bass, and special guest, Mahavishnu Orchestra alumnus, Jerry Goodman on electric violin. And what a road trip it is. These guys hit it hard from the opening measure, driving through odd time signatures, syncopations and polyrhythms like a Humvee. At times funk, jazz, metal, prog-rock, avante garde, you name it, this disc will grab you and not let go. Five tracks are spinning now.

Jeff Beck. Live. “Official Bootleg”.

Jeff Beck… ‘nuf said!

Out of Brazil comes Miguel Mega and his disc, Coastline.  I’m playing two tasty tracks that are right up FusionGroovin’s alley. Give a listen, and check ‘em out at www.miguelmega.com.br!

Those of you familiar with Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro are most likely aware of his extensive metal discography. So prepare for a 180…. this is some of the classiest, yet entirely edgy jazz-fusion these ears have come across in a long time. Plenty of credit has to be shared with the three other fantastic players on the disc: Yaniel Matos, who wrote a number of the songs, Cuca Teixeira on drums and Carlinhos Noronha on bass. Catch six tracks off the album on the station, and run out and buy the disc at www.boosweet.com — you’re in for a treat.

Alex Machacek stretches the genre boundaries with his simultaneously electric and eclectic offering “[ sic ]“. High in dynamic range, sonically and stylistically, the tunes on this disc take off in all kinds of directions. For the four tracks playing on the station, Alex is joined by Terry Bozzio, Herbert Pirker and Mario Lackner on drums, Raphael Preuschl on upright bass, with Alex on “guitars and everything else”.

Out of “The Great White North” of Canada comes Deerfoot, with their self-titled disc fusing jazz, funk, rock, ambient and hip-hop. Deerfoot consists of Ryan Timofee on keys, Dean Faulkner on guitars, Kurt Clesla on bass and Ron Samson on drums. Some terrific commentary on the songs and band can be found here on their website. Excellent, tasty, thoroughly-groovin’ stuff!