First published in  Lonely Goat Print Magazine Volume II - #11

Vertu - Vertu
by Wildman Steve Bronson (December, 1999)

OK, I know this isn't your typical jam-band. As a matter of fact, it isn't really a jam-band at all, although I understand there is a reasonable amount of improvisation in their live set. But with the jam-audience's interest in such bands as Medeski Martin & Wood, Galactic, and Jazz Mandolin Project, I had to write about this CD. You may know some of the players: Stanley Clarke-one of the premier jazz bass players of the last 30 years. Came to the forefront playing with Chick Corea's Return to Forever and John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra. Lenny White-veteran jazz/fusion drummer, also played with Return to Forever among many others. Ritchie Klotzen-GIT-grad known for his playing with such big-hair bands as Poison, he's really a jazz/fusion player and very hot. Rachael Z- keyboardist extraordinaire, I don't know where the heck she comes from but I'm glad she's here; and Karen Briggs-violin a-la Jean-Luc Ponty, this girl can PLAY. I absolutely LOVE this album! It's the first one in years that dares to explore a real jazz/rock fusion in the tradition of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, or the Dixie Dregs. There are moments that summon the spirit of Frank Zappa at his jazziest, some that evoke the sensuality of Miles Davis, and others that smoke with the fury of Hendrix. This album has it all: kick-you-in-the-face rock, cool jazz, smokin' funk, cool musical references to classical works, and even a cheesy ballad (the low point of the cd, and the only vocal tune). If you're a fan of any of the bands I've mentioned in this review, you really should RUN, Don't Walk!, to your nearest cool CD shop and buy this album. You'll be really really glad you did!!