This is a new feature in which I give you a quick glance at what’s made its way to my turntable or CD player today.

VERTU

The term “supergroup” can be overused, but not in this case. Stanley Clarke (bass), Rachel Z (keyboards), Richie Kotzen (guitars), Karen Bridges (violin), and Lenny White (drums) team up for some breathtaking fusion. The lead instruments are aggressive and the grooves are air-tight. It’s hard believe this record is 25 years old. It has aged quite nicely.

By the way, you can skip track 8 (“Start It Again”), as it has nothing to do with the rest of the album. This song was clearly an attempt to get on smooth jazz radio. It’s the only thing that keeps this album from being perfect.

SPECTRUM ROAD

Speaking of “supergroups,” check out Vernon Reid (guitar), Jack Bruce (bass and vocals), John Medeski (keys), and Cindy Blackman-Santana (drums and vocals) as they peel the paint off the walls from five miles away while paying tribute to the music of Tony Williams Lifetime. If you’ve got a pacemaker, make sure it’s in good working order!

The songs are raw and aggressive, yet polished nicely. You can hear everything that’s going on, and it’s a LOT. Turn it up to 11 and let it LOOSE!

SPECIMEN 13, Echosystem

Brilliant progressive rock work from Denis Rodier (drums, percussion, vocals) and Martin Vanier (guitar, bass, soundscapes) along with a host of other prog stars like Tony Levin (bass), Trey Gunn (Warr Guitar), Pat Mastelotto (drums), and Markus Reuter (Touch Guitar U8). The music leaves no stone unturned as it grooves, bites, and takes you into the stratosphere.

This isn’t the easiest record on earth to find, but it’s well worth the hunt.

#cirdecsongs

Would you like to have your music reviewed? Contact me at Cirdecsongs@ymail.com