Alright, so, plenty of listening has been done, and things are good so far. I've been cranking Herbie Hancock, who's duet performance with Chick Corea is brilliant for something laid back in tone, but brilliant in terms of expression within the piano's scope (I'm trying hard not to say that the dynamics are narrow compared to an electric band
.... but the truth is that once you adjust, it's truer expression really). He has such a diverse range of styles though, and some of his funkier stuff is just straight up incredible. He's a genius, pure and simple.
Pat Metheny was in there too, and he's great. It was nice having something more guitar-oriented, and I was actually pleasantly surprised at how great the piano playing is on some of his albums. There's some serious talent on there! There were times when I was thinking "gee, I hope he's not getting a bit annoyed with the pianist upstaging him a bit!", but the truth is the arrangements are so balanced that the feeling fades as soon as Pat starts playing again. His control of the instrument is that of true mastery.... though if I had one criticism, it'd be the bass work; it just left me a bit underwhelmed, and seemed to be just filling a position. That said, I have the volume low and work, which cuts the bass a bit, so maybe the more virtuostic passages just went missed.
Return To Forever are cool! Whoever recommended them.... 5 stars to you! They're probably one of the more obscure groups in there, though am I right in saying that they were led by Chick Corea? They go in some pretty interesting directions, including some stufff that's almost a jazz version of the precursor to modern power metal. That's my attempt at describing it anyway, haha. I mean, as a fusion band, they really spread their wings, and it's cool.
Getting the extra Tribal Tech albums was a fantastic move.... but then I knew it would be. All the guys in that band just leave me floored every time I hear them play. I've gotta give top props to Mr Willis of course, being a bass brother and all, and God-knows his SICK chops and improvisational skills deserve it, but Scott Henderson has to be my favourite blues guitarist, hands down. I saw a video he did on pentatonic modes (minor and major), and despite being rooted in what are effectively simpler scales, his system was really intriguing (coming from a guy who's based in regular modes). I'm gonna stop kissing TT's ass now before we have a real essay on our hands....
Anyway, there are a couple more groups that perused, but I won't list them here. Listened to a little Miles Davis.... liked it, but not as much as I was expecting. Sorry to say that, really, but it's still cool stuff. I'll keep at it with what I've got, then check in here a little further down the track to get some more names. I'll have Last.fm chiming in with some recommendations of course now, and for those not already using it, I HIGHLY recommend you get onto it because I've gotten into several bands as a result!
Thanks again fellas! I wish you all the best
