DAVE WECKL — Hard-Wired (1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 What was true of Master Plan is also true of Dave Weckl's third album as a leader of Hard-Wired -- it isn't the fusion masterpiece Weckl is capable of delivering, but it certainly isn't bad either. This time, the drummer's guests include keyboardist Jay Oliver and bassist Anthony Jackson as well as bassist John Patitucci, who like Weckl, was no longer a member of Chick Corea's Akoustic and Elektric Bands and was making his own albums a priority. The album's main emphasis is fusion that is fairly accessible, yet substantial and improvisatory. Tunes like the Asian-influenced title song and the groove-oriented "Crazy Horse" weren't recorded with hard bop's hard-liners in mind, but at the same time, they don't pander to NAC radio. As enjoyable as this album is, it isn't essential. One sensed that Weckl's best work as a leader was yet to come. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Hard-Wired 4:02
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Dave Weckl
Synth – Jay Oliver
2    Afrique 5:53
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synth – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach
3    Dis' Place This 6:38
Bass Guitar – Anthony Jackson
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Melody] – Scott Alspach
4    In Flight 6:11
Bass Guitar – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synth – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
5    Crazy Horse 5:41
Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach
6    Just An Illusion 5:09
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Electronic Wind Instrument [Harmonica] – Steve Tavaglione
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
7    Where's Tom? 5:09
Bass Guitar – James Genus
Drums, Programmed By [Percussion] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
8    In The Pocket 5:29
Alto Saxophone, Saxophone [Section] – Steve Tavaglione
Drums, Loops [samples solo] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Organ, Synth, Programmed By [Bass] – Jay Oliver
Trumpet [Section] – Scott Alspach
9    Tribute 5:09
Drums – Dave Weckl
Fretless Bass, Acoustic Bass – John Patitucci
Keyboards, Synth, Piano – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Credits
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 1, 2, 3,), James Genus (tracks: 5, 6, 7), John Patitucci (tracks: 4, 9)
Bass [Programming] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 8)
Drum, Drum Programming – Dave Weckl
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument – Steve Tavaglione
Synthesizer, Piano, Organ – Jay Oliver
Trumpet – Scott Alspach