Customer Reviews

Another Lifetime

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Drummer Simon Phillips has revived the jazzrock of Mahavishnu Orchestra and added his own personal flavor with this excellent successor to 95s Symbiosis. He avoids the typical drummers mistake of overplaying and this makes the album very strong melodically. If you only know his usual stuff as a pop/rock drummer (with Toto during the last few years - which is how I noticed him - and Mick jagger, Jeff Beck and Pete Townsend before this), the album is a big, though pleasant surprise. Virtuosity with taste - an album that you can listen to quite often while constatntly discovering new subtleties.

Simply put, this is one of the smoothest, most energetic recordings I've ever heard. Non-Drummers are not alienated from enjoying this musical experience. Sit back with a sound system that has a lot of low end kick and enjoy.

Simon Phillips' second album - of Abbey Road recording fame, as well as from bands like Toto et al. Nice to see a drummer with an audiophile background after working with Alan Parsons. It is also refreshing to see a drummer with an element of restraint, although you could argue some more fireworks on his on behalf might be warranted on occasion. Compared to a drummer like Dave Weckl though he's certainly on the backburner, which might not be such a bad thing.

The end result is an album that is superbly recorded - one of the best sounding drum kits I've heard. The bass drum kicks pummel you in a well set up system and his lowest tom has a deep resonant sound that will make you smile.

My reservation with this album is the screechy guitar that pervades most tracks. Whilst the tunes are melodic and the playing faultless, I can't help but wonder what would have resulted if a greater variety of pedals/effects had been used rather than the one chosen.

Nevertheless an enjoyable funk edged fusion album that keeps the foot tapping. Recommended.

This one of the great Fusion efforts done in the last 10 years! The atmosphaere on some of the tunes just smokes and Simon Phillips does a great job - while not overplaying.
Highly recommended!

This is one of the best CDs I have ever heard. Every tune is great and they all fit together so well. Simon and crew could not have done a better job. This CD has an aggressive live sound and not at all overly processed. Any fusion fans would place this as an all time great piece of work. Ray Russell & Simon have written some great music here. His Jazz CD " Vantage Point" with Jeff Babko is also a great piece of work. Simon is truly a special player and I hope he puts out more music with the same guys.

This is a great CD for any drummer. The drums were mic'ed so that they're prominent in the mix. More so than most other recordings. The music is pretty decent. Mostly smooth jazz type stuff, but there's enough variety to keep it interesting. Better have a subwoofer before you play this one. The kick drum and tom's blew me away! Put Simmon Phillips into Pandora and you can hear a few cuts for yourself and you'll see what I mean.

Simon Phillips has for years occupied a respected berth as one of the
worlds best, most dynamic and in demand session drummers. My understanding
is that this is the first album he's done of original material fronting
his own band.

In a nutshell this is high octane, high energy, beautifully performed
jazz fusion of the highest order. Every cut is a gem and for fans
of 5 star, kick out the jams instrumental music you're going to love
this one.

Anything Phillips and his band of Merry Gunslingers...I OWN. Give it a whirl; you will not be disappointed.

This album was the first one I heard from Simon Phillips and I can tell you it's one of the best albums I own. As a fellow drummer I think Mr. Phillips is one of the two best drummers in the whole world (Dave Weckl is the second), and on "Another Lifetime" he shows he really has what it takes to be great and not imposing. He plays fusion like it was pop and the tracks sound cool even if you're not a fusion fan. I know I've learned a lot from this record, as it is the first fusion record I've wanted to learn grooves off of. The grooves are straight-forward, no unneeded parts - just fantastic!

Being a fellow musician, that plays this style of music, I was equally intimidated and inspired by the high level of musicianship and writing. Not only do I hold Simon's playing in the highest regard, but also his desire to keep this genre alive. He gets the point that fusion is about making music, not just about how much chops you have. And I look forward to the Simon Phillips/Jeff Babko project. Musically Yours, Zo