FusionGroovin Blog

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!

Out of Germany comes the quartet Panzerballet, with their self-titled disc. Jan Zehrfeld (guitar), Gregor Bürger (tenor sax), Flo Schmidt (bass) and Max Bucher (drums) combine to create a collection of dark, dramatic and intense tunes. Fans of Gerald Gradwohl, as well as the late Bob Berg, will feel right at home here.   Five tracks from the disc are spinning now — check ‘em out!

Mo Lefever gets her groove out on her latest disc, “Unposed”. The disc is a collection of funky originals and re-interpretations of tunes by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Miles Davids, Don & Neneh Cherry and others. FusionGroovin is happy to include three tracks from the disc, which you can buy at CD Baby.