DAVE WECKL— Master Plan (1990) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dave Weckl's recording career as a leader was off to a decent start with Master Plan -- not a fantastic start, but a decent one. The drummer had made a name for himself playing with Chick Corea's fusion-oriented Elektric Band and his straight-ahead Akoustic Band, and his admirers greeted this CD with high expectations. But while Master Plan isn't the mind-blowing gem it could have been, it's a competent, enjoyable jazz-rock outing. Weckl has talented guests in keyboardist Jay Oliver, tenor saxman Michael Brecker and Elektric Band colleagues Corea and Eric Marienthal (soprano and alto sax), and he is in good form on pieces that range from the funky "Tower of Inspiration" to the Afro-Cuban-influenced "Festival de Ritmo" and the Brazilian-minded "Auratune." The CD's only hard bop offering is "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," which finds Weckl forming a trio with pianist Ray Kennedy and bassist Tom Kennedy. Master Plan isn't essential, but it isn't anything to be ashamed of either. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Tower Of Inspiration 3:58
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
2    Here And There 6:06
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
3    Festival De Ritmo 4:50
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
4    In Common 5:54
Written-By – Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer, Roger Guth
5    Garden Wall 4:32
Written-By – Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer, Roger Guth
6    Auratune 4:45
Written-By – Jay Oliver
7    Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 4:49
Written-By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg
8    Master Plan 8:12
Written-By – Chick Corea
9    Island Magic 4:55
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 3)
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 2 to 5, 8, 9), Tom Kennedy (tracks: 1, 7)
Drums – Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd (tracks: 8)
Guitar – Peter Mayer (tracks: 2, 4)
Keyboards – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1 to 6, 9)
Piano – Chick Corea (tracks: 8), Ray Kennedy (3) (tracks: 7)
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 4)
Sounds [Brush Overdub] – Dave Weckl (tracks: 4)
Sounds [Sound Effects] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1)
Synthesizer – Chick Corea (tracks: 5, 9), Jay Oliver (tracks: 6, 8, 9)
Synthesizer [Additional Synthesizer Horns] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1, 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 5)
Timbales – Dave Weckl (tracks: 2, 9)
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2) (tracks: 1, 3)
Trumpet – Jerry Hey (tracks: 1, 3), Scott Alspach (tracks: 6)
Vocals – Peter Mayer (tracks: 6)

THE DAVE WECKL BAND — Rhythm of the Soul (1998) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    The Zone 6:07
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Rhythm Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
2    101 Shuffle 6:18
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
3    Mud Sauce 6:32
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
4    Designer Stubble 6:00
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
5    Someone's Watching 5:25
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Twelve-String Guitar, Sitar – Frank Gambale
6    Transition Jam 2:31
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
7    Rhythm Dance 5:59
Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
8    Access Denied 4:00
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
9    Song For Claire 6:35
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
10    Big B Little B 6:31
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Rhythm Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
11    Good Night 0:31
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver

DAVE WECKL BAND — Synergy (1999) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Dave Weckl is an excellent drummer, not all of his recordings have been excellent. In the 1990s, you never knew if you would find something exciting or mundane on a Weckl album. But this fusion/soul-jazz disc turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Synergy, in fact, is the drummer's most consistently satisfying CD. Excessive producing was a major problem on some of his previous releases, but this time he generally avoids overproducing and goes for a real band sound. Joined by tenor and soprano saxman Brandon Fields, keyboardist Jay Oliver, guitarist Buzz Feiten, and electric bassist Tom Kennedy, Weckl has a solid team to work with and emphasizes improvisation and honest-to-God playing not high-tech studio gloss. Weckl's band sounds quite cohesive on a diverse, unpredictable outing that ranges from the funky "Wet Skin" and the Latin-influenced title song to the ominous "Cape Fear" and the delicate "A Simple Prayer." If you could purchase only one of Weckl's 1990s albums, Synergy would be the best choice. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    High Life 7:45
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar [Guitars] – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards, Synth [Synth Solo] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Feiten, Weckl, Oliver, Kennedy
2    Panda's Dream 5:22
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar [Guitars] – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Feiten
3    Swunk 4:48
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Weckl, Oliver
4    A Simple Prayer 4:52
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Classical Guitar [Nylon String Guitar] – Buzz Feiten
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Feiten
5    Cape Fear 6:54
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Electronic Wind Instrument [Yamaha WX5] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Fields, Feiten, Feiten, Oliver
6    Wet Skin 6:10
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar [Guitars] – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Fields, Feiten, Weckl, Oliver, Kennedy
7    Synergy 7:13
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Weckl, Oliver
8    Where's My Paradise? 4:51
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electronic Wind Instrument [Yamaha WX5] – Brandon Fields
Guitar [Steel String Guitar] – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Written-By – Feiten, Oliver
9    Lucky Seven 5:55
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums, Tambourine [Hi Hat Tambourine] – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Organ – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax], Baritone Saxophone [Baritone Sax], Electronic Wind Instrument [Yamaha WX5], Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Fields
10    Swamp Thing 5:22
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar [Guitars] – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Saxes] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Feiten, Weckl, Oliver, Kennedy
11    Cultural Concurrence 3:25
Drums, Percussion, Musical Box [Brushes On Box] – Dave Weckl
Written-By – Weckl
12    Tower '99 6:07
Bass – Tommy Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Buzz Feiten
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Brandon Fields
Written-By – Weckl, Oliver

DAVE WECKL BAND — Transition (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Dave Weckl's third release for the Stretch Records label reflects a new direction; seven newly penned compositions, new techniques, and new personnel. Aptly titled as Transition, the drummer benefits tremendously from his longstanding musical relationships with saxophonist Brandon Fields, bassist Tom Kennedy, and, the newest member of the band, keyboardist Steve Weingart. In addition to the four-piece lineup, Weckl jams with new percussive techniques; the incorporation of bongos, a tombek, wind chimes, and metal percussion into his drum setup. Just as the chart maker Synergy showcased the leader's ability to groove as well as to cut loose, Transition provides generous doses of high-energy drumming that characterized Weckl's days in Chick Corea's Elektric Band and the Akoustic Band, with the two approaches revealing a marked convergence. "Mild Hysteria" has a bluesy melody that changes gears harmonically for the solo sections and features the artist drumming in a fast double-time while the rest of the band is almost in half-time. Brandon Fields' "Group Therapy" features the saxophonist's swinging groove and great blowing. "Passion" is an emotional number that features the Steve Weingart great keyboards in tandem with Weckl's delicate, percussive ambience. Fields' beautiful sax is resonant and alluring on his solo and deepens the impact on the listener. "Crossing Paths" is another great song with a catchy melody that is marked by the consistent bass playing of Tom Kennedy. Together, the Dave Weckl Band is an ensemble that has blurred the line between soloist and accompanist and creates layers of sound that flow between several distinct moods. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    Wake Up    6:48
 Brandon Fields / Tom Kennedy / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
2    Braziluba    9:50
 Tom Kennedy / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
3    Like That    6:38
 Steve Weingart
4    Mild Hysteria    6:07
 Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
5    Group Therapy    6:49
 Brandon Fields
6    Passion    7:30
 Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
7    Crossing Paths    7:10
 Tom Kennedy / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
8    Alegria    5:32
 Tom Kennedy / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
9    Just For The Record    5:03
 Tom Kennedy
10    Amanecer    8:29
 Tom Kennedy / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
Credits
Drums, Percussion, Mixed By, Producer, Liner Notes – Dave Weckl
Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Flute – Brandon Fields

DAVE WECKL — The Zone (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Wet Skin    6:11
2    Alegria    5:33
3    High Life    7:47
4    The Zone    6:08
5    Wake Up    6:48
6    Lucky Seven    5:55
7    Tee Funk    7:03
8    Rhythm Dance    5:59
9    Serenalin    5:57
10    Amanecer    8:29
Credits
Bass, Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion, Tambourine [Hi-Hat] – Dave Weckl
Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Buzzy Feiten
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Keyboards, Synth, Organ – Jay Oliver
Lead Guitar, Guitar [Melody] – Frank Gambale
Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Flute, Baritone Saxophone, Saxophone, Keyboards [Additional] – Brandon Fields

DAVE WECKL BAND — Perpetual Motion (2005) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Double Up 5:36
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
2    Child's Play 6:22
Alto Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Vocals – Claire Weckl, Hussain Jiffry, Sanjay Divecha
3    Mesmer-Eyes 4:30
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Vocals – Hussain Jiffry, Sanjay Divecha
4    Skipper 5:51
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
5    Oasis 5:21
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Soprano Saxophone – Brandon Fields
6    7th Sense 7:20
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
7    Overdrive 4:48
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
8    12 Acres 6:24
Alto Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
9    Slingshot 6:00
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Piano – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
10    Beacon 6:04
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
11    Tiempo De Festival 5:13
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Piano – Steve Weingart
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey

DAVE WECKL BAND — Live (And Very Plugged In) 2CD (2003) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1-1    Wake Up    8:05
1-2    Braziluba    10:41
1-3    Mesmer-Eyes    7:50
1-4    Oasis    8:40
1-5    Crossing Paths    10:46
1-6    Hesitation (Sax/Drum Intro.)    3:01
1-7    The Chicken    10:33
2-1    Toby's Blues    10:08
2-2    Just For The Record    12:00
2-3    Rhythm-A-Ning (Bass/Drum Duet)    10:06
2-4    Cultural Concurrence (Drum Solo)    8:06
2-5    Tiempo De Festival    12:42
Credits
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Producer, Edited By, Mixed By – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Saxophone – Gary Meek
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields (tracks: 2-5)
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (tracks: 2-5)
Trumpet – Gary Grant (tracks: 2-5), Jerry Hey (tracks: 2-5)

DAVE WECKL BAND — Multiplicity (2005) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although still best known for his association with Chick Corea, drummer Dave Weckl has led an underrated group of his own for quite a few years. His core band, a quartet with keyboardist Steve Weingart, electric bassist Tom Kennedy, and saxophonist Gary Meek, is a little reminiscent of the Yellowjackets in its use of catchy melodies and appealing grooves and its ability to perform post-bop jazz with the sensibility of rock. Weckl does not dominate the music and gives Meek and Weingart plenty of solo space. His band deserves to be heard, and Multiplicity is an excellent example of the quartet at its best. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Watch Your Step    5:30
 Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
2    Elements Of Surprise    5:42
 Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
3    Vuelo    5:56
 Steve Weingart
4    Inner Vision    6:03
 Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
5    What It Is    6:27
 Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
6    Chain Reaction    5:36
 Steve Weingart
7    Cascade    5:34
 Steve Weingart
8    Mixed Bag    6:37
 Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
9    Down On The Corner    6:54
 Ric Fierabracci / Gary Meek / Dave Weckl / Steve Weingart
Credits
Bass – Ric Fierabracci (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 9), Tom Kennedy (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8)
Drums, Percussion, Programmed By, Producer, Recorded By, Edited By, Mixed By – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Paul Pesco (tracks: 1, 5 to 9)
Keyboards – Steve Weingart
Percussion, Congas – Richie Gajate-Garcia (tracks: 2 to 4, 7, 8)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet – Gary Meek

DAVE WECKL | JAY OLIVER — Convergence (2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Apocalypso 7:24
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Percussion – Dave Weckl
Programmed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Meek
2    Sternoids 8:43
Bass Guitar – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Meek
3    Carousel 5:16
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy
Cajón – Dave Weckl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy
Harmony Vocals – Emilie-Claire Barlow
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Lead Vocals – Emilie-Claire Barlow
Lyrics By – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Programmed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Gary Meek
4    Road To Connemara 8:01
Accordion [Button Accordion] – Maitin O'Connor
Cajón – Dave Weckl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Fiddle – Zoe Conway
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Pipe [Piper] – Maitiú Ó Casaide
Programmed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl, Ed Kenehan, Jay Oliver
Tap Dance – Mick Donegan
5    Convergence 6:04
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Programmed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Meek
6    Cups (You're Gonna Miss Me) 4:16
Backing Vocals – Nita Whittaker, Raffia Ford, Will Wheaton
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Dean Brown
Harmony Vocals – Claire Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Lead Vocals – Claire Weckl
Lyrics By – A. P. Carter, Heloise Tunstall-Behrens, Luisa Gerstein
Music By – A. P. Carter, Heloise Tunstall-Behrens, Luisa Gerstein
Other [Cups] – Claire Weckl
7    Twelvin 7:27
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Dave Weckl
Music By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dave Weckl
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Meek
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
8    Hand It Over 2:39
Drums – Dave Weckl
Mixed By – Dave Weckl
Music By – Dave Weckl
Recorded By – Dave Weckl
9    Higher Ground 5:53
Backing Vocals – Abdul Hamid Royal, Nita Whittaker, Raffia Ford
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chris Coleman, Dave Weckl
Guitar – Dean Brown
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Lead Vocals – Chrissi Poland
Lyrics By – Stevie Wonder
Mixed By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Music By – Stevie Wonder
Programmed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Dennis Moody
Tenor Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Trombone – Eric Jorgensen
Trumpet – Michael McGuffy
10    Incantation 3:48
Keyboards – Jay Oliver
Mixed By – Jay Oliver
Recorded By – Jay Oliver

THE DAVE WECKL ACOUSTIC BAND — Of The Same Mind (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    What Happened To My Good Shoes 8:11
Written-By – Gary Meek
2    Something’s Happening 6:16
Written-By – Makoto Ozone
3    Songo Mikele 9:40
Written-By – Tom Kennedy
4    Stay Out 8:49
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Makoto Ozone, Tom Kennedy
5    Koolz 7:11
Written-By – Tom Kennedy
6    Stella On The Stairs 6:29
Written-By – Gary Meek
7    Pacific Grove Fog 7:24
Written-By – Gary Meek
8    Agua De La Musica 6:17
Written-By – Makoto Ozone
9    All Blues 9:44
Written-By – Miles Davis
Credits
Drums, Percussion, Mixed By, Producer – Dave Weckl
Electric Upright Bass – Tom Kennedy
Piano [Acoustic Piano], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Organ [Hammond B3] – Makoto Ozone
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gary Meek

BILL CONNORS — Double Up (1986-1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Bill Connors has forged a successful career by mixing light, pop-oriented fusion cuts with more ambitious works that showcase his considerable solo abilities and compositional skills. This was a trio date with Connors (who doubled as producer) playing in an introspective vein, showing his funk and rock side, and then playing with more imagination and style. The playing time was quite short (35 minutes-plus), but there was enough of Connors' guitar work presented to satisfy his fans and fusion/pop/light jazz followers. Ron Wynn

BILL CONNORS — Assembler (1987-1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jazz fusion guitar fans will recognize Connors as that blazingly explosive and technically precise legato guitarist in Return to Forever who left after one release to pursue a quieter acoustic guitar path. Connors has always been ranked in the upper echelons of fine fusion axe-men. Yet the guitar releases from Connors have come slowly and been severely underappreciated. After leaving Return to Forever, Connors released three excellent acoustic albums in the '70s, did some work with Stanley Clarke on Clarke's solo releases, and played with the Jan Garbarek Group. Connors then returned to releasing hard-hitting yet elegantly soulful electric fusion guitar albums in the '80s. They comprised a shorter, LP -length format, offering sonic snippets of Connors' electric visions. Comparisons can easily be made between this release's guitar stylings and those of Allan Holdsworth. This is not surprising, as Holdsworth has always sought that horn sound and flow of John Coltrane, and Connors, too, idolizes Coltrane. Convergent evolution perhaps? Connors has more of a rocking and visceral, edgy attack than Holdsworth. His legato phrasing is totally different, as well as his guitar voicings. Connors also has a lean funky, syncopated groove going on in his compositions; he demonstrates he is a guitarists' guitarist with evident passion for his instrument. Assembler marked the final electrified release of this fusion CD offering of the '80s. Assembler saw an initial 1987 release and then this 1994 re-release on the Evidence label. John W. Patterson  
Tracklist :
1 Crunchy  3:29
Bill Connors
2 Sea Coy 5:39
Bill Connors
3 Get It to Go 5:10
Bill Connors
4 Assembler 5:07
Bill Connors
5 Add Eleven 6:12
Bill Connors
6 Tell It to the Boss 7:02
Bill Connors
7 It Be FM 5:39
Bill Connors
Credits:

Guitar, Composed By – Bill Connors
Drums – Kim Plainfield
Electric Bass – Tom Kennedy