Customer Reviews

Face First

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
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The fifth cd in TTs' history is one of their best. The composistions are smart but still groove with an honesty that is lacking from the "new" jazz movement (Kenny G etc.). Scott Henderson plays in an harmonicaly rich style that never resorts to pure chops to engage the listener, while Willis continues to prove he is "the man" on frettless. If you dig Weather Rreport you will love this cd.

This album is certainly one of the greatest by Tribal Tech which is for me one of the best Jazz-Fusion group of the 90's. You can hear on this album sophisticated compositions, great solos and grooves that you can't forget. The arrangements are really fresh and you will have difficulties to find another group with such creativity in this kind of music (except perhaps the John Scofield band with Chambers and Grainger during the same 90's period). Of course, there are also elements of funk, rock and blues in this music. All the tracks are great but I really dig "Face First" and "Salt Lick". Listen to that bass line on "Face First", Gary Willis is amazing. Moreover, his solos are incredibly soulful and so inspired. This album is a must buy for sure !

Tribal Tech are: Gary Willis on bass, Scott Henderson on guitar, Scott Kinsey on keyboards, and Kirk Covington on drums/percussion. Tribal Tech are a jazz-fusion band of the highest caliber. This album "Face First" is the first album I heard by Tribal Tech and it is just nonstop, pee-in-your pants awesome music. When I heard the solo Scott Henderson did on the opening song "Face First" is just incredible. Hearing him I just want to rip my head off, because this man is just so talented and plays so intelligently I just am in awe. I mean Allan Holdsworth needs to take some pointers from Scott, because this man knows how to phrase, rip, and soar. I am sorry if someone disagrees with that statement, but that is the cold, harsh truth. Scott Henderson needs to be in the pantheon of guitar greats like Pat Metheny, Eric Johnson, and Al Di Meola. He is just as good as them, but he has a different style of playing of course. This album should be purchased if you enjoy intense jazz-fusion or if you want to hear another influencial guitar virtuoso of the past decade than look no further than Tribal Tech. This is Scott playing with Tech at his best I think. Oh and if you like this album I highly recommend "Illicit" and "Reality Check." Both are just as good or if not better in some ways.

Some of the best, most intelligent, acute, funny, interesting, groovin', catching fusion ever played. The opening track is a 7 minutes tune that is a fist in the face to those who believe fusion is music for elevators or caos stuff without any substance. This is spectacular electric funky jazz that can make a dead dance! Spectacular solos all around from every cat in the band. Incredible time from all the musicians. Interaction is really good. They seem a kind of Weather Report meets Hendrix, meets Trane kind of band. This release should show a badge on the cover: "Extreme material inside: handle with care". You'll never look at fusion music the same way.

Scott and the boys are soooo good at this that they could probably play it backwards and still make it sound good. Top shelf fusion, and they even throw in a rockin' blues shuffle that the great Stevie Ray would have been proud of. Thank God these guys continue to proudly carry the fusion flag!

I totally agree with all the praise heaped on this recording as well as Henderson's & Willis's virtuosity, but for the record Scott Kinsey made a major impact on TT after joining the band just prior to recording the previous CD, "Illicit" and his musical presence on this recording is just as important . Scott's playing and writing is very reminiscent of Joe Zawinul. He adds so much atmosphere and contrast to the upfront styles of Henderson and Willis. Praise is also goes to Kirk Covington, who's maniacal in your face drumming propels TT into the stratosphere. TT is not for the feint of heart or smooth jazz fans so be warned Kenny G. fans.

Songs Include :

1. Face First
2. Canine
3. After Hours
4. Revenge Stew
5. Salt Lick
6. Uh...Yeah OK
7. Crawling Horror, The
8. Boiler Room
9. Boat Gig
10. Precipice, The
11. Wounded

It will be very classic but; if you are ever going to buy one fusion album, this must be the one. I have been listening it for over a year and it still gives the same taste.

Hace años que trataba de conseguir este CD de Tribal Tech, la musicalización es excelente donde destaca el bajista que es realmente extraordinario, la guitarra no está a un nivel...pienso yo, tan alto, pero aun asi en ningun caso es bajo, tambien es ritmica, armónica, llena de tifs y blues.

PAra los fanaticos y no fanaticos, amantes del jazz rock es un lujo tener este disco... totalmente recomendable.

because its the first album of Tribal Tech i think its the SHINEST, and if you like Tribal Tech you need to listenig this CD.