Customer Reviews

Vital Tech Tone 1

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, you'll love this album. If you're looking for the fusion of the 70's (Mahavishnu Orchestry, Eleventh House) this may not be your cup of tea.

Steve Smith produced three top notch fusion albums in 1998: "Show Me What You Can Do" (Gambale/Hamm/Smith), "Cause and Effect" (Coryell/Coster/Smith, and this album "Vital Tech Tones". Each is different, but all share a down and dirty fusion sound. "Show me .." is more techno, while "Cause and Effect", is more jazz and funk. "Vital Tech Tones" is hard rock and blues fusion at its best.

Scott Henderson's playing sounds like Stevie Ray Vaughn at one moment and Allan Holdsworth the next. With great rock chops, Henderson screams and screaches his way through a number of originals. Backed by the extrordinary drumming of Steve Smith and the always exciting bass playing of Victor Wooten, this album is well worth the listen.

Victor Wooten needs to learn technique? Are you out of your mind? Yes, Jaco was an amazing player, a pioneer, blah blah blah. Yeah, I dig him, too. But Vic is in a class by himself, and in my mind, proves it without a doubt again in a setting totally unlike the Flecktones, and with tunes that are a definite departure from his two outstanding solo efforts.

Oh, but I'm supposed to be reviewing the Vital Tech Tones Vol. 1. Let me just say this: On my first listen earlier today, I was literally screaming in ecstasy in my car. I've just listened to it again here at home, and I'm almost exhausted. Chops? Of course. Cohesiveness? Absolutely. Taste? You betcha. Monster grooves? Oh yeah. Rippin' fusion, nasty blues, mind-bending solos by all three players? Damn right. This was a most pleasant introduction to Scott Henderson, since I've never heard of him or Tribal Tech before picking up this CD. Steve Smith continues to surprise.

I'm very happy I bought this one. So THERE!

I need to restore a little balance here!! The last couple of reviews clearly are misguided!! This is awesome jazz-rock fusion - way heavy on the rock part and a long way from fuzak! All the players are outstanding and the sound is awesome as well! Smith is a true drummers' drummer and the drum sound on this CD is incredible - serious power!!!! And Scott Henderson just rips it up. Some reviewers would rather see Gary Willis on this, but the whole idea was to bring three diverse backgrounds together!! Hence Vital (Information) (Tribal)Tech (Bela Fleck and the Fleck-)Tones - get it?

If you're a Tribal Tech fan this album is a must. It has all the chops you would expect from Scott Henderson and more. Steve Smith is an excellent drummer as well, but what blew me away was the AWESOME Victor Wooten. His playing is totally extreme, bringing the music to another level compared to Tribal Tech, and I love Tribal Tech ! If God would play bass, he would play like mr. Wooten.....

"Well, what have we here then? Scott Henderson, Steve Smith and Victor Wooten - I think I know what to expect". WRONG! Put all your preconceptions to one side, and just enjoy. This album is going to be a little bit of a surprise.

You know how "fusion" music can sometimes become a bit predictable or even stale - bands simply rehashing what's been done before, only not as well. Then suddenly a band appears that literally EXPLODES onto the scene, to shake things up. Well, Vital Tech Tones is such a band.

I'm sure most fusion lovers are already aware of the aforementioned musicians' credentials, so they need no more introductions. What WILL surprise, and hopefully delight, such fusion enthusiasts, is what they create on this album. In my opinion, it comes across as a reaction against the staleness inherent in "some" fusion music. But, because I don't want to give too much away in my review, which would spoil the impact this band has on first hearing, I'll attempt to make vague comparisons instead. Thus, imagine, if you will, Scott with a touch of Jimi Hendrix in his playing, and if Steve added some of John Bonham's sheer power to his already awesome technique, then finally, if all the great bass players you'd ever heard gave a bit of themselves to add to Victor's playing - you'd be getting close to the sound of this phenomenally gifted trio, in this, their debut album.

The playing throughout is of course stunning. The compositions are varied in style - sometimes jazzy, heavy, complex, and funky - but always entertaining. It actually sounds like they were really enjoying themselves while making such a wonderful album. In fact, the amazing interplay within the band suggests to me that they were recording it live, thus capturing those rare moments of genius when they were all "in the zone". This is what jazz is supposed to be about anyway "reaching for that moment".

It's a gem of a performance. If you're looking for "jazz with attitude", this is the album for you - otherwise, look elsewhere. For the sheer sublime playing alone, this VTT album is worth buying. Take a risk - I promise you won't be disappointed!

Yanek

Well, for following these musicians for a while, I've enjoyed most of their work, and this CD goes up there in my top 10. When you get CDs like this, it's most often a bunch of friends that want to put all their ideas and sounds into one and see what comes out, and this CD without a doubt is a great result.

As I mention in other reviews where I recommend this CD to musicians more, this is one of them! Wooten of coarse shows off his speed and technique that sounds so clean. Smith, well Smith is one of my favorite drummers to listen to, just because of his own sound and clean chops, a very rudimental drummer that likes to put it in improvisation. I like Henderson's playing a lot, very technical and clean, different sound.

Overall, very different and VERY impressive, if you're a musician looking to get swept off your feet by a 3 piece that sounds so incredible like these guys, than this CD is a serious must!

This album is truly amazing, and is a successful combinination of a somewhat eclectic group of musicians. Scott Henderson's playing reminds me of Van Halen-esque guitar shredding (as opposed to, say Mahavishnu Orchestra stile). Victor Wooten, of course, is one of the funkiest bassists ever (arguably the best). Steve Smith's drumming didn't really impress me, but he holds down a solid enough groove to support Henderson and Wooten. This CD is not a chops-fest - the artists truly use their imaginations creating songs/melodies...and also truly improvise (as opposed to shred). I highly reccommend this disc.

GIANT STEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD. lie detector is extremely sweet. vic wooten demonstrates the full range of his instrument and its very refreshing to hear him play walking lines instead of slapping all the time. steve smith is just a GREAT drummer. weckl like chops with great musicality and time.

ah, scott henderson. alongside metheny, holdsworth, wes, and steve vai as my favorite guitarists. he says his tone on this albums is amongst his worst recorded, but its still shockingly great. his lines are otherworldly. such beautiful phrasing and melodic ideas. i love this album.

is it truly worth 5 stars? in my opinion, its a solid album with the exception of giant steps. giant steps alone makes it essential.

I am always glad to hear anything new from Scott Henderson. He is, as always, amazingly brilliant. Steve Smith is having a lot of fun, and Wooten (even though I'd have liked to have Gary willis or Jeff Andrews play on the LP) does a great job too. Despite grouping 3 high caliber musicians, this LP has great compositions and the trio plays like a team, Tribal Tech style. It's fluid, intense, energetic and in your face. If you love fusion, this is a must buy!!!

This the best , most original music I have heard in a long while. All three musicians are true virtuosos. I love their second CD also.