VERTÚ

This intriguing line-up with Clarke and White as a super rythm section is the main selling point , but hardly what one shoulkd stop at. The two women are not just looking good on the picture but also sounding great: Rachel Z is simply dashing while Briggs is less present but when she is, she perforates the screen with her talented violin. But as the superb artwork is hinting, guitar is what is at the forefront. Kotzen is maybe the main reason why this band exists>

Musically, this fusion is relatively easy-going (I did not say easy-listening but it is not that far away either) and should appeal to non-demanding progheads. Unfortunately this is the kind of album that gets lost in the shuffle and the huge catalogue and let's face it, with such a huge choice up for proposal, this album dies not offer that much to draw the attention to itself> Very apt fusion with talented musicians, correct "songwriting" , but nothing that has not been done hundreds of time before>

Three stars tops: hardly essential!!!

After twenty+ years after glorious RTF era Lenny White and Stanley Clarke just tried to rebuilt their sound and atmosphere. And in big part they succeeded - at least rhythm section is original RTF! Ritchie Kotzen is better known as rock guitarist, but his work there is very competent. Excellent addition is Karen Briggs' violin, very Jean-Luc Ponty style. Rachel Z has her high status as studio musician (still not at the level of Chick Corea though).

So, team is really good if not excellent, and music is almost as good too. In fact, very similar to RTF mk II style, but with bigger accent on violin, and with some less accented keyboards. These is nuances, but generally album sounds good! For sure, there is late 90-s outside, so sound is not so raw, a bit polished, sometimes on light side. But still in the key of good RTF works, not lounge cheese muzak. Possibly some vocals moments were not so useful, but I believe many RTF fans will be happy with this sound!

Unhappily, it was just one-shot project. Then, we needed to wait ten more years till RTF (in their classic line-up) will reunite for world tour and strong live album.

In all, 3,5 rounded till 4.

Vertu from USA can be considered a super group, the line up is impressive mainly due the rhythmic section, here we have famouses Stanley Clarke on bass from Return to Forever, also a solo career, Lenny White on drums his mate from glorious Return to Forever, on guitra we have one respected guitarist Richie Kotzen from numerous bands as Poiison, Mr. Big , solo career, etc + 2 female musicians one on violin and the other Rachel Z on keybords. The music is jazz fusion with clear '70 direction, sometimes is a cros between Jean Luc Ponty because of the violin sometimes or Chick Corea atmosphere or Stanley Clarke solo albums. The album is ok most of the time, is dominated by Kotzen guitar, who is quite great in places, but overall I can't say is an excellent work. The violin is present here and there, giving a pleasent atmosphere, but the flat sound and usual arrangements of the recording make me saying that this self titled album is only for RTF , Jean Luc Ponty or Di Meola fans. So , a decent work, made by talented musicians, but nothing more. Opening V-Wave or On top of the rain are maybe the most exciting pieces of the album. The album can easely gone unnoticed by many. 3 stars is best I can give.