Customer Reviews

Illicit

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ever since I heard Scott Henderson, I was hooked. Not only does he have other-worldly improvisational skills but he and his bandmate Gary Willis have been two of the freshest and most original composers in the modern jazz and fusion fields. This album more than any other is a testiment to their genius. On first hearing the cheesy, tounge-in-cheek parody that is the opening to the amazing first track, 'The Big Wave', I knew it was foreboding something dark, menacing, original and typically Tribal Tech. I was right. The guitars, bass and drums come cascading in with such fortitude and don't stop until the album's
closer. One thing that stands out, especially on this album, is Henderson's beautifully written ballads which overflow with beauty and emotion coupled with amazing playing from each player. This is an album that will turn you on to Tribal Tech or strongly reinforce your pre-acquired fanaticism for the group. An absolute gem.

Looking for Kenny G or Bela Fleck? Click to another link - this is cream-of-the-crop Tribal Tech, and it's as liable to burn your ears off as anything else. What is most remarkable about all of Tribal Tech's output is the combination of virtuosity and restraint. They never sound like they're showing off, yet there are plenty of jaw-dropping moments on every disc. This one is no exception, and it's probably the "rawest" sounding of all their catalog. The compositions are complex and versatile, yet tend to easily stick in the mind. The improvisation is sheer brilliance. As usual, they don't take themselves too seriously, infusing plenty of humor in the music, yet the towering composition and even more towering performances command a seriousness of their own. This is a must-own for every guitar or bass player, any fusion fan, and anyone who wants to break out of the rut of contemporary fuzak-jazz. It's albums like these that make Kenny G sound positively wimpy, and the open-minded of the contemporary jazz set might find themselves irrevocably changed. Heaven knows I couldn't listen to that stuff after listening to this.

This album was recorded under armed guard during the Los Angeles riots. This quartet sounds much larger with the able Scott Henderson and Gary Willis at the helm. Needless to say there is an edge to the proceedings with 2 improvised tracks RIOT and AFTERMATH. However incisive humour is present from the outset with THE BIG WAVE. A powerful fusion classic of the future.

With 2 guitar heroes writing great charts like those heard on ILLICIT, you cannot fail to go wrong. In short, if you need Tribal Tech, then buy this one, it's the Poodle's Privates

With all great bands, there is one recording where it all gets put together. The band's virtuosity evolves to the point where it becomes a perfect synergy of technique and soul. Illicit is such a recording. Previous Tribal Tech recordings, while technically excellent and musically sophisticated, failed to fuse the musical and technical elements into a unified whole. Scott Henderson's guitar playing, while adventurous and musically sophisticated, was somewhat algebraic as he processed the lessons learned at GIT. The rhythm section of Willis and Covington was technically adept, but somewhat theoretical in their approach. The same was true of keyboardist Scott Kinsey. On Illicit, it all changes for the better. Henderson successfully integrated harmonic sophistication with his hard rock-metal roots. Covington and Willis add the funk to their prodigious chops. The result is Illicit, Tribal Tech's best work. This CD fuses all of Tribal Tech's elements into an integrated musical statement. There is a lot to choose from here; syncopated fusion (The Big Wave, with its cheesy Musak intro) relentless funk (Stoopid), ultra-sophisticated hard rock (Torque), bluesy vamps with a late-night vibe (Slidin' Into Charlisa, Black Cherry), modernist speed-boogie romps (Root Food), and improvised ferocity (Riot). This is the recording that most successfully represents Tribal Tech's compositional sophistication and go-for-the throat intensity. It doesn't get much better than this.

Scot Henderson always brings me profound inspiration. This time he also brings me what his band can do. First time I heard this I was totally bown away. The band focused on the concentration of each plyability. This is the key to succes of this album.
No other band can make this hyper groove sound.

Best album I own, period. Well, either this or Henderson's Well to the Bone. Definitely check that out if you like Henderson. This type of stuff is not for everyone. My friends hear this and say "what the hell are you listening to?" They just don't get it. Only other fusion album iv heard that compares to this thats not another TT album is Black Market by Weather Report. Other people's reviews are right on target. This stuff is so deep. It took me over a year to appreciate Aftermath, now thats one of my favorite tunes. Every song is near perfect. Henderson's solo on Torque is alone worth owning this album. Kinsey is also phenomenal.

This cd in nothing less than amazing. Tribal Tech especially in this line up, is an amazing band. This cd is the first with the line up that personally I find impossible to surpass ... Henderson, Willis, Covington, Kinsey. You can't beat these guys in this sort of music ... that I may call, ... fusion, a word among the most hated for different reasons (I think by the guys themselves). It is fantastic that Illicit begins with few seconds of what people generally tend to think about when the word fusion comes to mind. A sort of mellifluos, ultra sweet, elevator-kennyg type of thing, ... and after those few seconds the band starts an incredible funky fusion groove, "Big vawe" with solos to die for. What you will find in this album is an incredibly tight band, a fantastic unit, scaring musicians that play very forward music. This music isn't for every cat. This music is dense, intense, intelligent ... funny and entertaining. But ... it deserves your attention. Think Weather Report with a boost of ultramodernity, with a guitar instead of a sax and you have the picture. I own all the albums from the band (minus Dr Hee and Spears which are unavailable at this time, ... they appear sometimes on the used market at out of this world prices) and I think this one ranges among the best together with Reality check. I adore this one. It's fusion from outer space. Stellar music from the X men of fusion.

A must have for any fan of Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech, this really demonstrates not only their virtuosity individually and as a group, but most importantly, their unique sound. This record is an excellent example of the Tribal Tech sound, which is so unique it could almost be a genre of its' own. As good as my two favorites of theirs', their (purple) self-titled album, and Reality Check.

Scot Henderson always brings me profound inspiration. This time he also brings me what his band can do. First time I heard this I was totally bown away. The band focused on the concentration of each plyability. This is the key to succes of this album.
No other band can make this hyper groove sound.

Illicit was Tribal Tech's 1992 spit-in-the-face to corporate radio and record companies who would have the public believing "light jazz" is really fusion like 1989's Nomad. The opening track, "The Big Wave," is a convincing spoof of a light jazz radio station found in any big city in the United States. The track begins with a cheerily cheesy tune, which sounds like something that might be played on one of the many 'wave' stations. Then the drums increase in tempo and volume until the original melody is obliterated, whereupon the band launches into some very loud, very edgy and highly syncopated playing--the hallmark of Tribal Tech. Illicit features two improvisational numbers, "Riot" (named for the L.A. riots happening nearby at that time) and "Aftermath" (also pointing out the riot's devistation). Bottom line--this album sounds like a live-in-the-studio record, with a raw, cutting sound and less slickness in the overall production. Highly recommended to all fusion fans.