Express

Metro (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 7, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Marsis Jazz
• ASIN: B0010VXL40
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,823 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

With the release of their sixth CD, Express , the band Metro celebrates fourteen years of musical collaboration and exploration based on their shared passion for the sonic and musical adventures of the 60 s and 70 s; when artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Weather Report and John McLaughlin s Mahavishnu Orchestra began combining jazz, rock, electronica and world music, thus expanding the boundaries of all of improvised music. Express is a continuation in this direction, or genre, which has come to be known as Fusion . Having crossed paths during their early years in New York City in recording sessions and the local club scene, pianist/keyboardist Mitchel Forman and guitarist Chuck Loeb soon found themselves sharing the stage as members of the Stan Getz Group in the early 1980 s. But it wasn t until 1994, after touring and recording with the Bill Evan s groundbreaking Petite Blonde project, that they joined forces with drummer Wolfgang Haffner and bassist Anthony Jackson and recorded their first CD {Metro Lipstick Records } and did their first tour. Jackson was a well-established bassist at the time, and brought the younger Haffner along who had been a member of the German fusion group Passport. Since then they have recorded four more studio albums and one live CD featuring Forman, Haffner and Loeb, and several different bassists: Victor Bailey, Mel Brown, and Jerry Brooks. On Express , they have joined forces with world-renowned bassist, vocalist, composer, and producer Will Lee adding a fresh new dynamic and energy to the band. The songs on Express range from the intense sonic soundscapes of Slow Down and Rio Frio to funky blues based jaunts like Sloth , the up-tempo Absynth Blues and even a bit of Euro-Techno on the title track Express . The band turns a bit more introspective on Tell Me A Thousand Times and Nuna with Forman s lush keyboards and Haffner s light touch on brushes setting up a simmering slow burn.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jazz-Fusion, March 21, 2008

By 

Sherman L. Dantzler "JazzeOne Production" (Grand Blanc, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Express (Audio CD)

The band Metro is guitarist Chuck Loeb, keyboardist Mitchel (Mitch) Forman, drummer Wolfgang Haffner and bassist Will Lee.

On "Express" the group puts together an array of sounds that can best be described as jazz-fusion. Chuck's guitar licks are quite jazzy in typical Chuck Loeb fashion. Then we are fused with Mitch's acoustic and electric piano sensations giving us a hint of rock-mania from time to time. Wolfgang drums out some rocking grooves of his own on `Up Above The Stars'. Will Lee seems to level everything out with his renowned experience on the bass.

The CD offers a wide range of fusion from the up-tempo beats on "Red Fish' and `Express' to the laid back jazz grooves on `Nuna', `the Standard' for (MB) and `Rio Frio'. The groups gets slick on `Sloth' and `Absynth Blues' adding a little funk to the mix. They get somewhat bluesy on `Slow Down' with some melodic vocals touching up the cut.

There is enough fusion here to credit this as an overall enjoyable CD, if you are not a purist to any one genre of music. The more you listen to the jazz-fusion sounds on this project the more they will actually grow on you. ~the JazzeOne

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice find!, January 29, 2008

By 

Stefano (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Express (Audio CD)

It's a rare event when I purchase a CD from a band I've never heard of before. The result is more often than not a big disapointment. Luck me. I was delighted when I heard this album. This band really cooks! Their music reminds me of the music created by Lee Ritenour, The Rippingtons,and The Pat Metheny Group. If you like straight ahead jazz, fusion and (God forbid!)some smooth jazz, then try this album out for size. You'll like what you hear!

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the best, October 6, 2008

By 

Rogg (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Express (Audio CD)

In a world overcrowded with albums it gets harder to find something that sticks to your ears. This is one of the few. The musicianship, songwriting, production and engineering make this one of the best of the best. Chuck Loeb is one of my favorite guitarists. But the reality is, ultimately it doesn't how well something is played if the songs are mediocre. The songwriting here is excellent. My favorites are The Red Fish and Maikl Burreka. I also love Rio Frio and Absynth Blues, and also... I could go on and on! Will Lee is always a stand out. Truth be told, everyone in the band is so good it's an injustice to single anyone out. I highly recommend this if you are a highly sophisticated music aficianado, or if you want to learn to be.