The Guitar Channel

Favorite Releases of 2011

While pondering my favorite music releases of 2011, I was struck by two things; the abundance of originality and depth in the "my cup of tea" genre, and Geez Louise were there a lot of live albums this year. There were also some great DVDs, which is why I'm referring to this as a favorite "releases" list instead of an "album" list as I have in the past. So here they are - my favorite releases of 2011 in no particular order:

 

Abstract Logix Live! - The New Universe Music Festival 2010 (CD / DVD) [CD Review]

Amazing live CD and DVD releases chronicling the 2010 New Universe Music Festival. Includes great performances by John McLaughlin, Wayne Krantz, Alex Machacek, Jimmy Herring, and others. I was honored to help contribute to the DVD by conducting the backstage interviews which appear on disc 2.

Brett Garsed - Dark Matter [Review]

Fantastic writing and playing. Shows a stronger prog influence than Garsed’s earlier work. Bassist Ric Fierabracci make a big impact here as well.

Chris Taylor - Nocturnal [Review / Interview]

Taylor’s remarkable debut seamlessly blends modern jazz and electronica influences in one of the year’s most original and engaging releases. The all-star line up includes Ric Fierabracci, Steve Tavaglione, Dave Weckl, and other heavyweights.

Oz Noy - Twisted Blues Volume 1

Noy’s latest showcases his quirky originality and tones in a context that’s more bluesy than his previous work. Love the writing on this one.

The Aristocrats [Guthrie Govan Interview]

Killer heavy fusion album with Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums. A great platform for Govan’s overall talents.

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Awesome prog-fusion disc that may be Sherinian’s best solo release yet. Has a throwback 70s Jeff Beck vibe at times. Guests include Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, and Joe Bonamassa.

Allen Hinds - Monkeys and Slides

Great writing and lines from one of the west coast’s coolest fusion guitarists. Includes two burning live tracks. Features Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Babko, and Dennis Hamm among others.

Bryan Beller - Wednesday Night Live

Killer live disc featuring a single set recorded at the Baked Potato, plus two additional tracks from other performances. Includes great contributions from Mike Keneally.

Other favorites from 2011:

Gerald Gradwohl Group - ABQ Live and Raw
Jeff Richman & Chatterbox - The Line Up [Interview]
Bryan Baker, Bob van Luijt & Sebastiaan Cornelissen - 011 Amsterdam
John Escreet - The Age We Live In
Johnny Hiland - All Fired Up
CAB - Live on Sunset
Human Element
Gannin Arnold - Five World Class Drummers DVD
Rudder - Live at Rockwell Music Hall NYC DVD (Not one note of guitar on this, but the band and DVD are super cool.)

See Also:

Favorite Albums of 2010
Favorite Albums of 2009
Favorite Albums of 2008
Favorite Albums of 2007
Favorite Albums of 2006

Current Listening

Some cool stuff I've been listening to lately.

Human Element

Striking debut from the killer modern jazz quartet of keyboardist Scott Kinsey, bassist Matt Garrison, drummer Gary Novak, and vocalist/percussionist/secret weapon Arto Tuncboyacian. Imagine a neo-Weather Report sound with a strong 'world music' vibe. Great record. John McLaughlin guests on one track.

CAB - Live On Sunset

CAB's latest is a great heavy fusion disc recorded live in November 2010. With Tony MacAlpine on guitar, Bunny Brunel on bass, Virgil Donati on drums, and Dennis Hamm on keys.

Marbin - Breaking The Cycle

Highly eclectic, almost cinematic jazz and fusion recording from the Chicago-based duo of Dani Rabin on guitar, and Danny Markovitch on sax. Cool stuff if you are looking for something different.

Mr. Big - What If...

Mr. Big's first new album in 8 years features the return of the original lineup (with Paul Gilbert back on guitar). Great all-out rock record. Killer playing.

New CAB Album "Live on Sunset" Now Available

CAB has a new album entitled Live on Sunset which is now available at Abstract Logix. The disc was recorded live on November 14, 2010 at SIR in Hollywood. The band's lineup for this album includes Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, Virgil Donati on drums, and Dennis Hamm on keys. See tracklisting below.

CAB - Live on Sunset

Track 1     Atamanashi
Track 2     Cloud Ten
Track 3     Katputli
Track 4     Purple Mars
Track 5     One for the Road
Track 6     The Quiet One
Track 7     The Pub
Track 8     Song for My Friend
Track 9     The Prankster
Track 10     New Blues

CAB to re-release Live at The Baked Potato Double CD

Fusion uber-group CAB will re-release their 2006 album Live at The Baked Potato next month. This excellent 2-CD set includes all of the bands staples, plus a killer version of Billy Cobham's "Stratus." The lineup on this release includes band mainstays Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, and Virgil Donati on drums, with David Hirshfelder playing keyboards. I've had this one for awhile now; definitely worth picking up if you want to hear some great live jazz fusion.

CAB: Live at The Baked Potato

via No Treble

Favorite albums of 2008

2008 was another great year for jazz rock fusion progressive whateveryoucallit guitar music. Here are my favorite albums of the year, in order of their release.

Tim Miller - Trio Vol. 2

Fantastic Holdsworthian fusion. Great acoustic/electric tones.

John McLaughlin - Floating Point (Review)

Western jazz fusion played with Eastern musicians. McLaughlin's best album in years.

Greg Howe - Sound Proof (Review)

Outstanding writing and playing. True heavy fusion.

Alex Machacek/Jeff Sipe/Neal Fountain - The Official Triangle Sessions (LIVE)

An Abstract Logix exclusive. Awesome live recording featuring tracks from the Improvision album.

OHM - Circus of Sound (Review)

Highly creative heavy fusion from Chris Poland and co.

 

Jimmy Herring - Lifeboat (Review)

Remarkable writing and playing. My favorite album of the year.

Jeff Beck - Performing this week...Live at Ronnie Scott's

Great live album featuring all of Beck's classics. Look for my review soon.

Other favorites from 2008:

Paul Gilbert - Silence Followed by a Deafening Roar (Review)
Charlie Hunter - Baboon Strength
Mike Miller Quintet - World Goes Round
McCoy Tyner - Guitars
Claude Pauly - Mind Meets Matter
Tadashi Goto - Innervisions
CAB - Theatre De Marionnettes

CAB releases new album in India

CAB's new album THEATRE DE MARIONNETTES has been released in India. The album features Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacApline on guitar, Virgil Donati on drums, plus three keyboardists - Patrice Rushen, Brian Auger, and special guest Chick Corea. Two of the album's tracks were written by Indian composer/producer Sandeep Chowta. It appears the album has only been released in India thus far - check out this Facebook group for more info including store locations where the album can be purchased. If I find an online retailer offering the album I'll post an update.

12/14/08: I've added some full-size pics of the CD packaging above.

12/23/08: Good news! The album can now be purchased online through Abstract Logix!

CAB - Highlights from The Baked Potato

Drummer Virgil Donati has posted this highlight video of a CAB gig that took place this past July at The Baked Potato. This iteration of CAB includes Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, Otmaro Ruiz on keys, and Donati on drums.

via Truth in Shredding

CAB - "One For The Road" 7/11/08

Well spotted by Laurie at Truth in Shredding: This is a clip of CAB (with Tony MacAlpine on guitar) from their show last night at The Baked Potato.

Upcoming Virgil Donati live dates

Here are some upcoming gigs of interest featuring drummer Virgil Donati. The gigs with CAB will feature some songs from their upcoming album Theatre de Marionettes. No word yet on a release date for this album, but I'm definitely looking forward to it.

CAB (featuring Tony MacAlpine - guitar, Bunny Brunel - bass, and Otmaro Ruis - keys)
June 29 - Anthology, San Diego
July 11&12 - Baked Potato, Los Angeles

Virgil Donati Band (featuring Alex Machacek - guitar, Rufus Philpot - bass, and Matt Rhode - keys)
July 5th- Baked Potato, Los Angeles

Virgil Donati & Brett Garsed
India July 25 - Aug 9 (to be confirmed)

CAB India tour postponed

In other "postponed" news - the planned CAB December tour of India has been postponed. The band will still play the Baked Potato on Nov 30th & Dec 1st however. CAB is bassist Bunny Brunel's fusion band featuring Virgil Donati on drums, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, and (in the band's current form) Mitch Foreman on keys.

via the Virgil Donati Website

CAB to tour India in December

CAB will be touring India this December. This iteration of bassist Bunny Brunel's fusion band will feature Tony MacAlpine on guitar (as always), Virgil Donati on drums, and Mitch Foreman on keys. Before heading for India, the band will play the Baked Potato in California on Nov 30th & Dec 1st. Here are the India dates:

8th December 2007 – St. Andrews Auditorium, Mumbai
9th December 2007 – Seijo And The Soul Dish, Mumbai
11th December 2007 - Kala Academy, Goa
13th December 2007 – Le Meridian Hotel, Delhi
15th December 2007 – The Taj Krishna., Hyderabad.
17th December 2007 –  Good Shepherd Auditorium, Bangalore