Former Weather Report and Steps Ahead alumni Peter Erskine is back with a new album titled Dr. Um. This time around it appears Erskine has been searching for and found his old vim and vigor of his glory fusion days. Joining Erskine (drums, percussion) are John Beasley (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (electric bass) along with a number of guest artists.
Listening to Dr. Um a couple of things are clear; Erskine is an outstanding musician and he still has plenty of chops left in the tank. His band are no slouches either adding fabulous solos and melodies throughout. The funky bass work and imaginative keyboards in "Bourges Buenos Aires", the smooth jazz fusion of "Lost Page" where floating keyboards and vibrant sax soloing add to a great melody and the Island grooves in "Hawaii Bathing Suit" with its infectious rhythms, scorching sax solo and fabulous drum excursions are all highlights. While the musicianship is superb, the melodies are just as good which makes for some thoughtful music as well. "Little Fun K" is another prime example of forging great keyboard and guitar solos with some highly catchy grooves. Yes the solos are here in spades but everything is so well placed and thought out the flow of the album is never interrupted needlessly. There are so many pieces to this puzzle and the joy for the listener will be hearing them fall into place.
Melodic jazz fusion rarely sounds this good to these ears. If you clamor for the days of Erskine's former projects like Weather Report you best give Dr. Um a listen.
Track Listing:
1. You're Next (0:28)
2. Lost Page (4:47)
3. Hawaii Bathing Suit (5:46)
4. Bourges Buenos Aires (6:33)
5. Little Fun K (5:11)
6. Mahler (6:32)
7. Sage Hands (3:41)
8. Okraphilia (5:52)
9. Speechless (6:11)
10. Sprite (4:24)
11. Northern Cross (9:35)
12. You Awake (0:17)
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Former Weather Report and Steps Ahead alumni Peter Erskine is back with a new album titled Dr. Um. This time around it appears Erskine has been searching for and found his old vim and vigor of his glory fusion days. Joining Erskine (drums, percussion) are John Beasley (keyboards) and Janek Gwizdala (electric bass) along with a number of guest artists.
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