Customer Reviews

Rocket Science

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

 

 

Let's say you stumbled on this music kinda a-referentially. You know something about music. You've heard (of) Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Steve Howe, Jimmy Page. You've heard a little bit of prog rock. What would you think?

You'd be blown away, I'd say.

But what if you came at this music with a thorough knowledge of the above players, as well as owning all of King Crimson's Yes's, Hendrix's, Led Zeppelin's, and Bill Bruford's Earthworks records--and, here's the kicker--all of Tribal Tech's discs?

I think you'd be underwhelmed.

So which is the right response? Blown away or underwhelmed?

Neither.

In the Tribal Tech canon, this represents both an apex and a nadir, it seems to me. An apex, because it's some of their most complex, interactive, chops-heavy music on disc. A nadir, because it doesn't really seem to go anywhere very interesting or amount to much.

In short, I'd say it's the fusion version of those technically brilliant hard-bop/post-bop neo-traditional jazz sessions where the musicianship is beyond reproach, the vibe is generally electric, but the listening experience leaves much to be desired.

I thought Thick, their previous effort, was great.

But this strikes me as too much of a good thing, like eating three crèmes brules in a row: gustatorily magnificent, in a sense, but so far over the top as to instigate a palate revolt.

Still, worth at least four stars (maybe more) for even attempting something of this (albeit star-crossed) magnitude.

This CD represents Tribal Tech's best , most consistent, most self-assured work. Also, sadly, it's probably their last. In the same mold as Thick, this record consists mostly of improvisations off of simple riffs. Thematically the songs are all over the map: techno, caribbean, blues, funk. The playing is superior, the overdubs limited, the mix terrific.

My love for Tribal Tech has been fraught with disappointments. It seems every album has a couple of masterpieces which rise above the boredom and cliches, which is probably to be expected with a band that only gets together to record and gig occasionally. Rocket Science, however, is quality from start to finish with only one down moment (Mini-me, a weak jam over a sample-and-hold riff from Kinsey). The rest wails.

And the highlight (other reviews notwithstanding) is the finale, Econoline, which is perhaps the funkiest 9 minutes of instrumental soul ever recorded by middle-age white boys.

New to TT? Start here.

This is the best in this series, good techno sounds and heavy Jeff Beck inspired guitar work. Scott Henderson does everything well, he has his own style but pays a respectful omage' to Mr. Beck in many songs. His treatment of style can only be compared to Hendrixs' interpetation of dylans' All Along the Watchtower. Insted of hanging back the other band members carve out coice cuts for themselves showing their true professionalism. Jazz and rock fuse in this work leaving the listener with NO bad tracks to listen to.

Not sure why this is currently out of print, but this is one fine outing from the Tribal Tech boys.

Scott Henderson & Gary Willis have done it again (along with messers Kinsey & Covington). This music is adventurous and inspiring, not to mention impeccably played. Boy can these guys tear it up.

It's a shame that this 2000 release appears to be their last. Maybe someday they'll get back together and do it again. If you ever get a chance, go see them live. You'll not be disappointed. :)

I'll admit there's no moment on this disc like Gary Willis' bass line from Party at Kinsey's on 'Thick'; nothing that reaches out and demands your attention. This record takes the same improvisational approach as 'Thick', but is slower to offer up its charms. Much use of samples, some are almost Zawinul-like; that's a good thing. Give this one multiple listens; it will reward you.

Originally, for most of Rocket Science, I was inclined to give up to 4.5 stars. However, the comparatively weaker closing tracks, namely Cap'n Kirk and Econoline, negatively affected my final opinion. Since the album ended on a somewhat sour note, I therefore was harsher with my evaluation. However, the music on Rocket Science, just like on many previous TT albums, becomes more engrossing with repeated play--now, even Econoline gets an occasional replay. As such, I'm revising my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.

Ultimately, Rocket Science stands up well to TT's primal tracks. It can be grouped into the 4 to 4.5 star category with albums such as Tribal Tech, Face First, Reality Check, and Thick. Arguably, the 5 star mark tends to be reserved for TT's masterpiece Illicit. Illicit displayed TT's top-notch compositional and arrangement skills while simultaneously it foretold their subsequent transition to loser structures and improvising--as demonstrated on the extemporaneous tunes Riot and Aftermath--commonplace on their current releases.

P.S. Since there are no half star rating increments in Amazon's selection menu, the original review was given 3 stars. In order to arrive at a desired 4 star grade, I'm rating this revision with 5 stars.

With this album it seems that Tribal Tech have decided to settle into the chair they claimed with their previous release "Thick" - that of great band in waiting.

Whilst their earlier releases had both great playing and superbly structured songs, they have decided to eschew this approach for a more improvisational approach. Unfortunately, as talented as they are (and they are amongst the greatest musicians currently on this planet), even Miles Davis needed a set structure to improvise from. The album starts off strong, but quickly sinks into a musical morass from which it never recovers.

If you want to hear truely great playing, then check out some of their earlier releases, from their first "Spears", through to 1995's "Reality Check", music doesn't get much better than that.

The four immensely gifted musical scientists, collectively known as Tribal Tech (TT), continue the impromptu approach to song writing as displayed on last year's Thick album. However, where Thick more successfully gelled and sustained interest throughout, Rocket Science, while it commands attention and engages the listener, falters at the end.

The band's trademark intensity and varied inspirations are present as usual. The title track--with its progressively hyper-kinetic groove and wild ring modulated improv by Henderson--and Saturn 5 generate some ferocious soloing and heated musical intercourse. Elsewhere, Song Holy Hall and Sojlevska offer a change of pace with some sensitive and melodic world influences. The former employs a subtle monk chant over a slow, hypnotic beat, and features beautifully tasteful and spine-tingling phrasing by Henderson.

Although, overall, Rocket Science is a fine exploration of the group's phenomenal abilities, the album's closing numbers seem to lack direction. Clocking in at three minutes, Cap'n Kirk enters with a swagger, but exits abruptly with little to say--leaving me with thoughts of its purpose other than a mid-tempo drum vehicle. Also, Econoline tests one's patience as it meanders for five and a half minutes before generating some heat, and even then, with less than satisfying results. TT's co-founder, bass maestro Gary Willis, has stated that the tunes on Rocket Science serve as outlines and are open to continuous interpretation. Here's hoping that when performed live, these tunes receive just exploration. To this TT enthusiast, the ingratiating, tropical island flavored Moonshine would have served as a more fitting finale to the recording--it has a certain "we've had fun, see you next time" vibe.

In all, there's plenty of rocket fuel propelling the proceedings. However, the fuel seems to run out as Cap'n Kirk mans the Econoline rocket to its final destination. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Reviewer's note: This band, as well as the co-leaders' solo groups, MUST be seen live. Their in-person performances will amaze you! Refer to Willis' web page (garywillis.com) for touring information.

Not sure why this is currently out of print, but this is one fine outing from the Tribal Tech boys.

Scott Henderson & Gary Willis have done it again (along with messers Kinsey & Covington). This music is adventurous and inspiring, not to mention impeccably played. Boy can these guys tear it up.

It's a shame that this 2000 release appears to be their last. Maybe someday they'll get back together and do it again. If you ever get a chance, go see them live. You'll not be disappointed. :)

My first experience with TT and Henderson was "Thick". It was so unusual, yet challenging, it took me awhile before I decide to buy it. It's now one of my favorites, but when I went back to their older cd's to find more, I began to realize what a departure this disk was for them. Well, I'm happy to say the experimental nature has continued on this cd. Maybe it's from jamming with Wooten and Smith on the Vital Tech Tones cd's, but Henderson seems to be taking this group into some very interesting uncharted space, with the final destination quite likely some alternate universe through a black hole. Music like this must either: A.) progress into almost a "classical" (composed) sense of order, with more complicated melodies and harmonic structures to support the dissonance, B.) dissolve into dissonance altogether, or C.) lapse into boring repetition. I enjoy the experimental vision, but sense a lack of structure, hence the 4, not 5, stars. I'm not suggesting they go back to their earlier incarnation (I don't own any TT albums prior to Thick), and I don't think Henderson will let the band get so comfortable in this format that it gets "old hat", but am hoping they take that final step and go where no man has gone before... For now, set your cd player to warp speed and let this one fly!