Extraction [Import]

Dennis Chambers, Greg Howe, Victor Wooten | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 2, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: King
• ASIN: B00013F6F0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,349,683 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Extraction

2. Tease

3. Crack It Way Open

4. Contigo

5. Proto Cosmos

6. A Delicacy

7. Lucky 7

8. Ease Up

9. Bird's Eye View

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HOWE IS BACK, February 2, 2004

By 

Jeff Arenson (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extraction (Audio CD)

I am not really sure if Greg Howe ever left, but for me he hasn't done anything worth listening to for about 10 years.(Funny how that happens when instrumental guitarists get the idea of adding lyrics) Howe is another one of the Shrapnel records/Mike Varney discovered "Classical Fusion" guitarists to now be on Varney's Tone Center Fusion label. I don't know if Varney is trying to help out old friends but with recordings like this and "CAB" I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. By hooking up Greg Howe with bassist extraordinaire Victor Wooten and the unreal Dennis Chambers on Drums, Varney gave me a reason to give Howe a try. This disc does for Greg Howe what CAB did for Tony Macalpine. That is, it has allowed old fans to hear what these guys can do now that they have developed into musicians that can interact with others.( and if they always could they waited decades to show it)
This disc shows that Howe was the only member of the Shrapnel Family that knew how to combine "Shred" with "Groove". Yes, there are Jazz musicians that can do that even better than Howe; However. this is the best disc by Howe since his Solo debut on Shrapnel well over a decade ago. Unlike some other Tone Center releases, Howe lets Wooten and Chambers lend a hand into the overall sound. These two weren't put into the background, instead each one is given opportunities to do their thing. Howe, of course, is all over this record but it doesn't sound like a solo record at all but a genuine collaboration. I don't know why Howe doesn't list keyboardist Dave Cook on the cover, because he contributes a lot to this recording.
The music is mostly Metal/Fusion/Funk and Howe can compose interesting music. If you like Howe's music then you'll love this. There is a solo piece entitled "A Delicacy" that sounds like a two-handed fantasy tap piece which would have been perfect on a Howe disc from 15 years ago. The band's version of "Proto Cosmos" is also pretty weak but you can count on one hand the amount of guitarists that can hold their own with Holdsworth. At least he tried. The rest of the songs let the whole band contribute and/or are Howe doing what he does best. My personal Favorite is "Contigo" because all of the members contribute and I've never heard Howe add latin influences to his playing. Nice to hear Howe trying something new and this one works. I also recommend this disc to people that like the other tone center releases. I found it to be the best thing that Howe has done in over a decade, and I hope that he continues to work with other outstanding musicians. If the does then I look forward to his next release.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere between Jazz, Rock and Funk, January 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Extraction (Audio CD)

I am not a big fan of Greg Howe but I have to admit that this album is a very good one. Greg can really play modern jazz licks and his guitar sound reminds me of Scott Henderson. You can also hear the influence of Wayne Krantz in the third track.
The compositions are generally stronger than what you can usually expect from this kind of guitar fusion music.
There are many great grooves and Victor Wooten knows how to make them funky. Dennis Chambers is simply amazing on this album.
My favourite tunes are "Extraction" and "Crack it way open".
I highly recommend this album even for more Jazz oriented music fans like me.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Greg Howe is Agoraphobic, but he can play!, November 14, 2003

By 

Oscar Jordan (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extraction (Audio CD)

You know what stinks about this disc?

Greg finally get's this stellar, top of the food chain rhythm section to back him up, and they aren't even playing in the same room together.

These guys all recorded their instruments in separate studios and there's no earthiness, musical interaction, or vibe.

Don't get me wrong, the playing is great, stellar, but this recording is not that much different than his past fusion workouts. The compositions are better and more interesting, but it's still in the same ball park as his earlier fusion releases.

It's well played hyperdrive fusion with some cool acoustic stuff thrown in. If he was going to have everybody phone everything in, he should have spent less money and got the guys he normally uses. It would have been nice to hear Wooten, Chambers, and Howe, play and display some give and take. Inspire each other in person.

Oh when oh when is Greg Howe gonna stop being so ... and get out and just play with a real live breathing band? How about a recorded tour?!

The only thing really amazing about this disc is that it sounds extremely good with everybody playing to scratch tracks. But I guess that's how Greg works. Same as the Kotzen/Howe projects. They were never in the same room together either.

Gimme some live stuff Greg!