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CAB - Theatre of Marionnettes CD (album) cover

THEATRE OF MARIONNETTES

CAB

Jazz Rock/Fusion


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4 stars This album is a tour de force from some of the most talented and heavenly gifted musicians in today's world of fusion and not only!Fans of the genre know very well that this album is the 4-th studio album of the super group,because...in a bizarre way,they did alreay a CAB 4 cd...without the 3 one...that's trully weird!This new one is putting the standards even higher with the inclusion of the atomic drummer VIRGIL DONATI!Brian Auger is still in the gang,and other great artists like PATRICE RUSHEN,MICHEL POLNAREFF and especially the maestro CHICK COREA are giving a strong touch to a stellar album aready!The core of the band is composed of BUNNY BRUNEL-the instigator of the project and TONY MACALPINE,this time credited as co-producer too!What can or could be sayed about an album that is destined to become a classic in fusion music?It's simply breathtaking in terms of virtuosity and musicianship!Strong compositions,elaborated and catchy,fluid solos and amazing musical alchemy!Sometimes it's really breathtaking and our respect for this kind of musicians which are continuing to enchant and delight us with albums like this one...our respect is endless!Pure demonstrations of virtuosity...great solo interventions in the middle of the compositions,a fantastic clear and crystal sound,a fabulous production-more than a hour of pure fusion extravaganza!Highlights of the album-AL TRACKS!Yes,because all are having their own personality and each song is EXCELLENT!Tony Macalpine seems to be more and more ok in the fusion direction-here he is absolutelly on top of his tremendeous talent-a true guitar chameleon.Bunny Brunel is a bass monster-a true virtuoso both spectacular and efficient-VIRGIN DONATI is unleashed,as usual with a ferocious and powerful playing on each song!He made forgeot DENNIS CHAMBERS with brio,another monster drumer. and present on the first 3 CAB releases!.Donati is here really sensational and very,very inspired!The keys parts are excellent and all the album is very enjoyable from the first to the last minute!4,5 STARS for something almost perfect!
Report this review (#276644)
Posted Tuesday, April 6, 2010 | Review Permalink
4 stars The fourth album marks the first major change in the line-up - Dennis Chambers is replaced by Virgil Donati, another spectacular drummer in the fusion world.

Tracks are generally shorter, so more variety due to high number of them. The feeling is more relaxed than intense although there are more intense tracks like "The prankster" or "The sultan of Brunel" with its metallic feeling. Donati is a fine drummer as also evidenced by the highly irregular "The ventriloquist" with varying complexity from straight rock to fusion. "Rain" and "The pub" show the fusion can have straightforward rhythm and complex soloing. The band tried to expand the sonic horizon by adding brass section which I can't say if it is for real or coming from a keyboard sound bank. The title track is absolute mad number. "High cloud" has a bass reminiscent of Cobham's "Spectrum". "The puppeteer" has a beautiful post-bop-fusion moments combined with 70's fusion.

Although this album doesn't bring much new to the table by the band, it's well executed again so I grant it 4 stars again.

Report this review (#2440616)
Posted Sunday, August 23, 2020 | Review Permalink

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