Mike Porcaro, Brotherly Love, 2011
It is not my habit to discuss live albums on a regular basis, as I feel that, though some are quite good (yet often retouched in a studio), most add little to the studio originals. But this is an album I do like to feature here. Not only because it pays tribute to the late Jeff Porcaro (Toto and a zillion of studio albums), but also to his brother Mike (also Toto and a bucket load of other albums). Third brother Steve is also present on this disc. And father Joe shows up with a track dedicated to his son Jeff.
Jeff is of course the master of the groove. His drumming in tracks like Rosanna, Africa or Mushanga is nothing short of legendary. Here drummers like Steve Gadd and Gregg Bissonette play those parts. Mike is the silent one, but his bass playing is as always very tasteful and full of soul. Too bad he is no longer able to handle his instrument! Together with guest like for instance David Paich, Bobby Kimball, Joseph Williams (all with a Toto history), Glenn Hughes, David Garfield, Alex Lighterwood and Lenny Castro this double disc was performed live in Germany in 2002.
The album sound is crystal clear, and you can´t help but wish you would have been there. A variety of tracks on offer. Not only from Toto (Rosanna, Georgy Porgy, English Eyes, etc) but also Jimi Hendrix (Manic Depression) and Michael Jackson (Human Nature) are present. As are more fusion like tracks, with trumpet or sax, besides the obvious guitar and keyboard solos. So if any of the artists or names strikes a chord, go try to pick this one up. Very classy with stellar performances! Only one missing is Steve Lukather, but as he tours the world regularly, he was probably busy doing other things at the time…
Junk Farm, Ugly Little Thing, 2007
This self proclaimed “fusion trio from hell” released this debut in 2007. Well I don´t know about the devil, but this is a tasty album for sure.
Built on drums, keys and guitars, but with vocals, this is a very accomplished band with a lot of humor. It takes guts to come up with this band name and CD title, but also the lyrics reflect this. But they don´t use humor to hide the fact that they are incapable, no way. What we have here is a band full of excellent ideas and the skills to rock, groove, shred, whatever.
Some tracks are mainly fusion on a rocky edge, others border more in crossover territory between metal and fusion. But melodies all around! Same goes to organ and solo´s. I suspect 6 stringer (and singer) Benjamin Schippritt grew up on metal and ranks Steve Vai among his influences. Due to the use of organ (Berthold Fehmer) and because of the grooves (courtesy of Michael Sticken) I think they like Niacin as well. But don´t get me wrong, I found this lot having their own sound and I totally enjoy this. And though German, very NOT your typical German Power Metal band. My compliments!
Personal play tips: An Eye For An Eye, Master-Sync, Strange Behaviour.
Derek Sherinian, Molecular Heinosity, 2009
This guy I found out about during his stay in Dream Theater. Live I thought he was a very funny dude, so when he released solo material, I was kinda curious what it would be like. Especially because of some of his friends joing in. In this case, guys like Zakk Wylde, Rusty Cooley, Virgil Donati, or Tony Franklin. His regular bassplayer is Rob Mules. Somehow reminds me of a famous Black Sabbath record…
Anyway, to the music. For people who heard his earlier material: you know what to expect! For those who haven´t: this is very classy, very clever, at times very complex material. Mostly instrumental, it´s a kind of a metal approach to fusion. Having said that, I always find myself enjoying his records because of the quality of all the players involved. And somehow there is always enough groove and melody at hand to be able to connect to the songs. So at one hand I can understand when people say the records are not very different from each other. On the other hand, this is all done with such pleasure and dedication, it is always a joy to hear.
Personal play tips: Antartica, Primal Eleven, So Far Gone.
