CAB 2

This is Chambers, Auger, Brunel and MacAlpine's second album in the CAB series and was a big step-up from their first. It is a firm but elegant session that reintroduced contemporary jazz-rock to a comatose Fusion scene and surprised everyone with a compositionally strong, tightly-executed and cleanly recorded follow-up. In fact, of the three studio and one live recordings, 'CAB 2' is superior and really should be a part of any modern fusionhead's library. If you stop to think about it - the legendary Brian Auger, indisputably God-like shredder Tony MacAlpine, always ready session man and RTF alum Bunny Brunel, and Dennis Chambers, probably the best drummer in the universe - the results are not surprising. And no skimp here, more than half of the ten cuts are over seven minutes.

'Decisions' is fine-- melodic and smooth with a blistered solo from Tony. But 'Madeline' gets things going, opening with soft, cool chords from Auger that mimic a child's taunt, a lithe guitar-key phrase complimented by Brunel's counter riff, deft thunder rolls from Chambers and resolves into a pretty passage sprinkled with MacAlpine's chops. 'Dennis' is strong and full of tremendous playing by namesake Chambers. He makes it sound easy, like a separate species, a one-in-a-million breed of player and his performance on this record demands the attention of all drummers, and 'For Joe' is just as good, showing traditional fusion influences like Tony Williams and RTF. Some of the material is in the same neighborhood as the watered down pap jazz-rock had become as in 'South Side' and the tinny samba beats of 'Songs for My Friend', but most of it is downright classy. 9-minute 'Temperamental' is quietly fierce and easy going 'Sunday' to finish. Grammy nominated, and recommended.

The sophomore effort with the same line-up brings nice moments and complements the debut album. It is more versed in jazz and feels more improvisational.

"Decisions" is reminiscent of the previous title track but only the instrumental chorus comes and sees MacAlpine in the spotlight with perfect soloing. Then Chambers, Auger and other players democratically show off their muscles. "Madeleine" is one of the best tracks on the album with slightly dramatic synth chords and a killer chorus melody with all instruments but keyboards playing irregularly. I like the contrast frenetic Chambers solo with mellow bass/keyboards in the background. "Dennis" is a showcase for the drummer, since he plays the most complex instrumental part here. Let's also mention Hammond well seconding the drums, this song is rhythm crazy! "For Joe" has a 5/4 or so rhythm and a killer guitar leads followed by relaxing electric piano. "South Side" has some almost metallic/prog-rock main motive but plenty of fusion soloing. "Song for my friend" is a fast-pace number with electric piano highlights. Also the bass guitar is kept busy from start til' finish. "Sunday" has a lazy weekend lounge feeling with focus on mood rather than music variety.