By: Nick DeRiso

Billy Sherwood, both with Yes and on his recent helming of the Prog Collective, has already established himself as a staunch advocate for the 1970s’ signature rock style. So why shouldn’t he do the same with 1970s jazz?

The forthcoming Sherwood-produced Fusion Syndicate, set for release by Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra on October 16, 2012, recalls all of the genre-busting triumphs of Mahavishnu Orchestra — and even includes a pair of former members in Billy Cobham and Jerry Goodman. Elsewhere, Jimmy Haslip of the Yellowjackets, Jay Beckenstein of Spyro Gyra and Eric Marienthal of Chick Corea’s Elektric Band appear, as well. Heck, there’s even a wow-man cover image, very much in the style of Miles Davis’ classic recordings of the period.

And why not? Fusion jazz, like its polyester-era counterpart prog, has been just as wrongly maligned in the intervening decades — cursed for its excesses far more than it has been rightly praised for the times when it pushed the envelope.

What’s interesting is the way that The Fusion Syndicate makes cases for both. In a tip of the hat to Sherwood’s history as a member of Yes in the 1990s, there are appearances by members of King Crimson, Soft Machine, Dream Theater and (of course) Sherwood’s old band, to boot.

Goodman begins by creating a tornadic swirl of violin on “Random Acts of Science,” even as Rick Wakeman’s keyboards trickle across the song like a rushing stream. Meanwhile, Sherwood’s guitar creates this Middle Eastern-inspired mystery, working in an intriguing contrast to the propulsive groove from bassist Jimmy Haslip. Steve Stevens, of Billy Idol fame, adds the kind of heavy crunch that marked the legendary Lifetime recordings on “Stone Cold Fusion,” before Mel Collins’ sweetly conveyed saxophone opens the door for a series of swift moving retorts from keyboardist Jordan Rudess and acrobatic drummer Billy Cobham.

Beckenstein tangles with Sherwood’s guitar on the space-funky “Molecular Breakdown,” which features an open-ended rhythm signature from bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gavin Harrison. The song’s secret weapon is keyboardist David Sancious, however, whose contemplative gurgles provide the perfect juxtaposition. Derek Sherinian’s whooshing synth figures gives way to a plucky rumination from guitarist Larry Coryell on “Particular Accelerations,” and their interactions perfectly echo the space-age science of this song’s title. Drummer Chester Thompson responds with a funky cadence, before Eric Marienthal arrives with a wailing aggression.

Trumpeter Randy Brecker and guitarist Steve Morse follow with a similarly engaging exchange on “At the Edge of the Middle,” with Brecker offering a series of flourishes while Morse simply takes flight. Co-founding Yes organist Tony Kaye works in fleet tandem with his current Circa bandmate Sherwood, this time on bass, for “Atom Smashing,” with a titanic contribution by Frank Zappa drummer Chad Wackerman pushing them along.

Then there’s “In the Spirit Of …,” which boasts perhaps the most approachable hook — but also the most brain-meltingly psychedelic guitar presence yet, courtesy of Steve Hillage. Theo Travis’ bluesy saxophone grounds things, at least briefly, before Scott Kinsey’s soaring synth sends the track skyward again.

The Fusion Syndicate tracklist and players:

• 1. Random Acts Of Science – Rick Wakeman (Yes) ; Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra) ; Nik Turner (Hawkwind) ; Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets / Alan Holdsworth)
• 2. Stone Cold Infusion – Steve Stevens ; Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater / Liquid Tension Experiment) ; Mel Collins (King Crimson) ; Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) ; Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
• 3. Molecular Breakdown – Jay Beckenstein (Spyro Gyra) ; Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai) ; Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) ; David Sancious (The E Street Band)
• 4. Particle Accelerations – Larry Coryell ; Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater / Black Country Communion) ; Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea Elektric Band) ; Chester Thompson (Genesis / Brand X)
• 5. At The Edge Of The Middle – Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs) ; Jim Beard (Mahavishnu Orchestra) ; Randy Brecker (Blood, Sweat & Tears) ; Percy Jones (Soft Machine / Brand X)
• 6. Atom Smashing – John Etheridge (Soft Machine) ; Tony Kaye (Yes) ; Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa)
• 7. In The Spirit Of… – Steve Hillage (Gong) ; Scott Kinsey (Tribal Tech) ; Theo Travis (Steven Wilson Band) ; Justin Chancellor (Tool) ; Asaf Sirkis (The Orient House Ensemble)

source: somethingelsereviews.com

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PLANET EARTH ATTACK, an exciting new meta-eclectic LP by Blackburner, is set for a release on September 25th on Cleopatra/Hypnotic Records. I had the distinct pleasure of obtaining a pre-release of this disgustingly dark–yet occasionally mesmerizing–album, headed by the former-metalhead Skyla Talon, who is ostensibly still enamored with the genre.

PEA exploits Skyla’s roots as a member of Killingbird and former Rob Zombie guitarist Riggs’ Scum Of The Earth, throws them into a rusty meat-grinder with a Glitch-Dubstep-House concoction, and throws them up onto a putrid musical canvas. Yes, it is that twistedly aggressive…

…But it can also be really beautiful too. From the droning, distorted guitar-driven title track all the way to the Dance outro “Set this Fire,” Blackburner has a way with musical story telling that is sure to please the palettes of anyone who enjoys variety in their artists. The inaugural tracks lay down a foundation of power that is pervasive throughout the album, aside from some very catchy tracks sprinkled about that take a dramatic turn for the hypnotic, such as “I’m in Love with this City ft. Geri X.” Blackburner shows that there is nothing wrong for a group with a dark and disturbing image to have a soft side.

But not for too long….they aren’t sissies. The excitement and haunting SFX grit continues with tracks like, “Time Travel” and “50 Grades of Space,” showcasing the groups genre-bending proclivity to tame chaos into something manageable. If you are looking for straight-forward Dubstep, you can check out the track “Electric Flesh,” a gritty and hectic piece. Otherwise, we suggest you allow Blackburner to take the helm and steer you in and out of their elegant melodies, wicked synths, and well-placed (but not overdone) bass wobbles.

Taking a great deal of inspiration from goth-rock, track’s like “Burn Burn Burn” are seething with vocals influenced by the likes of Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, while others showcase the band’s affinity for Progressive-Rock, like “Comfortably Numb,” featuring vocal clips from Pink Floyd.

Last words: Blackburner’s mastery over styles is fantastic and reminds us why we love them: they are fucking bipolar. Dripping with an original sound as disturbing as their sci-fi on-stage image, the group balances their psychosis out with tantalizing and catchy hooks. Just try to not bob your head when listening to “The World is Ours.”

PLANET EARTH ATTACK comes out on September 25th, but that does not mean you cannot get your fill of Blackburner. How about giving a listen to the title track and a view to the video for “Apocalypse.”

source: dubstepmusic.co.uk

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