DENNIS CHAMBERS — Outbreak (2002) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Drummer Dennis Chambers is a first-call session ace who is comfortable within a variety of settings and/or genres. He has also evolved into one of the most admired drummers on the globe due to his high-powered polyrhythmic funk beats and supercharged sense of swing. In short, he's a dynamo! With his second solo release, he enlists his former boss, guitarist John Scofield, amid jazz superstars such as brothers Michael (sax) and Randy (trumpet) Brecker among others. Here, Chambers drives it all home via his now infamous attack, consisting of complexly woven tom fills and snappy, funk-drenched rhythms. Much of the credit should be directed towards arranger/producer/keyboardist Jim Beard, who once again demonstrates his prowess for achieving the desired effects. On the piece titled "Otay," fusion bassist extraordinaire Gary Willis leads the way via his impossibly fast lines in concert with Scofield's sinewy plucking and Chambers' sweeping funk pulses. Some of these works are marked by the Brecker Brothers' chirpy unison choruses and the ensemble's morphing of gospel, fusion, and jazz-based grooves. Through it all, Chambers' presence is undeniably felt, while this outing also benefits from strong material and the soloists' zestful endeavors. Glenn Astarita
Tracklist :
 1. Roll Call (5:21) 
Alto Saxophone – Aaron Heick
Bass – Will Lee
Bass Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
Clavinet, Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Jon Herington
Music By – Jim Beard
Shaker – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Trombone – Michael Davis
Trumpet – Jim Hynes, Randy Brecker
2. Otay (7:03) 
Bass – Gary Willis
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer – Jim Beard
Guitar – John Scofield
Music By – Gary Grainger, John Scofield, Milton Chambers, Robert Aries
3. Groovus Interruptus (5:19)
Alto Saxophone – Aaron Heick
Bass – Will Lee
Bass Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
Congas – Danny Sadownick
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Nick Moroch
Music By – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Trombone – Michael Davis
Trumpet – Jim Hynes, Randy Brecker
4. Paris on Mine (06:08) 
Bass – Matthew Garrison
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Jon Herington
Music By – Jon Herington
Piano, Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bobby Malach
Trombone – Michael Davis
5. In Time (6:08) 
Alto Saxophone – Aaron Heick
Bass – Matthew Garrison, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis
Congas – Danny Sadownick
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Jon Herington, Nick Moroch
Music By – Sylvester Stewart
Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bobby Malach
Trombone – Michael Davis
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
6. Plan B (4:31) 
 Bass, Guitar – Dean Brown
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Music By – Dean Brown, Dennis Chambers, Jim Beard
Synthesizer – Jim Beard
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
7. Outbreak (10:59) 
 Bass – Gary Willis
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Music By – Jim Beard, Jon Herington
Synthesizer, Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
8. Baltimore, D.C. (5:46) 
 Bass – Gary Willis
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Jim Beard
Guitar – John Scofield
Music By – John Scofield
9. Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothin' (6:01) 
 Alto Saxophone – Aaron Heick
Bass – Rodney "Skeet" Curtis
Bass Saxophone, Soloist – Bobby Malach
Congas – Danny Sadownick
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Jon Herington, Nick Moroch
Guitar, Soloist – John Scofield
Music By – Bobby Byrd, James Brown
Organ [Hammond] – Jim Beard
Tenor Saxophone – Bobby Malach
Trombone – Michael Davis
Trumpet – Randy Brecker

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH – Metal Fatigue (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Criminally unknown and underappreciated, Allan Holdsworth is one of the greatest musicians ever to pick up the electric guitar. Here, on 1985's Metal Fatigue, everything finally comes together for him. For the majority of this record, Holdsworth is joined by bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Chad Wackerman, and these two musicians, virtuosos in their own right, complement Holdsworth beautifully (check out Johnson's wonderful part in "Home" and lovely solo on "Panic Station"). The leader is known for his extremely legato phrasing and rich harmonic vocabulary, both of which are on display in the solo and frantic fills of "Metal Fatigue." Anchored by Paul Williams' vocals, the song is marvelously constructed, with a strong verse melody supported by Holdsworth's upper-register guitar chords. The guitarist's much-vaunted whammy bar work is also on full display here. Certain fills in "Metal Fatigue" are almost queasy sounding, as Holdsworth bends and slurs in impossible ways. His use of the tremolo bar comes out not only during his melodic playing, but also during his rhythm playing, where he allows his chords just a trace of shimmer, enough to lend body to his playing but not enough to blur the harmonies. The influence of Holdsworth's unique style is evident in the work of such rock guitarists as Eddie Van Halen and Alex Lifeson (listen to VH's "Drop Dead Legs" or Rush's "YYZ" for a taste of this connection), but the watered-down and otherwise assimilated adaptations of his style pale compared to the unadulterated stuff. One of the most important fusion records of the '80s is also Holdsworth's best work. Absolutely essential for those who like their rock with a healthy dose of jazz. Daniel Gioffre
Tracklist :
1    Metal Fatigue 4:54
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth, Williams
2    Home 5:29
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth
3    Devil Take The Hindmost 5:33
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth
4    Panic Station 3:31
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth, Williams
5    The Un-Merry-Go-Round 14:06
Bass Guitar – Gary Willis
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Keyboards – Alan Pasqua
Written-By – Holdsworth
6    In The Mystery 3:49
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Mac Hine
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Korda
Written-By – Holdsworth, Korda