ANOTHER LIFETIME

It would seem as though peerless drummer Simon Phillips has played on just about EVERYBODY's album at some point over the past 5 decades. It's interesting that he only has about 5 solo albums , and I would probably rate them all pretty evenly at around 4 stars - all jazz fusion in the traditional 70's style.

He made "Another Lifetime" in 1997 in comeback fashion, as he had been recovering from an illness or back problems, no longer able to travel with TOTO (the band with which most people may most associate him). There is a LOT to like on this album aside from his phenomenal drumming throughout: guitars are handled by Ray Russell and the great Andy Timmons, Jeff Babko is on keyboards, and another icon Anthony Jackson plays bass. There is also a fair amount of saxophone, courtesy of a Wendell Brooks. Despite his immense talent, Phillips doesn't take any 2-minute drum solos here - he just shines with some extraordinary fills throughout.

And I love the SOUND on this record; in pursuit of a warmer and more natural sounding record, he decided to record 48 track analog/non dolby. (That's above my paygrade, but believe me, it WORKS!) Really nice balance and clarity on the whole record.

Nine longish tracks adorn this album, pretty much between 6 and 8 minutes each. Nice tempo and mood changes between the songs. The first track, Jungleyes, sets the pace for the album with great guitar and driving bass. My favorites are probably Kumi Na Moja (at 8:10, the longest track), and ESP with it's deep growly bass undertone and the cool overall melodic line. But they are ALL good! I'll make this one stand out from the others and go 4-1/2 stars.

I reluctantly gave his previous album "Symbiosis" 4 stars feeling it was a 3.5 star album but bumping it up. Can't do it with this one, in fact 3 stars seems right. We get the guitarist back from the previous record which is fine but I was hoping the sax player wasn't the other one. He was. He plays such a smooth style and the keyboards on here bug me unlike on "Symbiosis". Okay all this to justify my rating, but I'm happy with the rating, not so much the album. With the album cover and pictures of him in the liners I was thinking he might be hoping to get discovered or something. I mean the pose with him holding his chin is breathtaking. Hey we get Anthony Jackson on bass and he really impressed me, very upfront too in the sound. Can't really pick a favourite track. The nine tracks range from about 6 minutes to 8 minutes in length. Obviously well played but I'm just not digging this one.