One look at the all-star guest list on this solo album from acclaimed rock/jazz-fusion drummer/keyboard player Gary Husband will probably be enough to send genre fans screaming with delight. It's not enough that Husband has played with a 'who's who' of the music industry throughout his career, such as John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Robin Trower, Gary Moore, Mike Stern, Billy Cobham, Andy Summers, and many more, but he's also assembled some of these star musicians here on his latest solo album, Dirty & Beautiful, Volume 1.
The mercurial Allan Holdsworth makes an appearance on the atmospheric fusion piece "Leave 'Em On" alongside Jan Hammer, bassist Jimmy Johnson, and Husband. It's a great way to kick start this fine album. With Hammer and Holdsworth trading liquid lines, you really can't go wrong, and the results are sizzling. Husband also shows off his fine keyboard skills on "Bedford Falls", a gorgeous little piece that also guests Laurence Cottle on bass guitar, and Holdsworth, Johnson, and Husband join forces with violinist Jerry Goodman on the fiery fusion romp "Between the Sheets of Music", easily one of the hottest numbers here, and featuring a scorching solo from Goodman. Perhaps the most incredible number on the CD, and also the most disappointing, is the wild "Yesternow-Preview", featuring the king of the bad ass wah-wah guitar, Robin Trower. Problem is, it lasts under a minute and is such a tease, so my guess is (and I'm hoping this is the case) we get the full version of this Miles Davis fulky fusion piece on Volume 2 of this set, which is coming out in 2011. The quick glimpse you get here is enough to give you goosebumps!
Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra guitarist John McLaughlin joins the fray on the daring "Dreams in Blue", and you'll instantly be transported back in time to the early 70's when this style of fusion was all the rage. McLaughlin totally burns here, alongside Johnson's pumping bass grooves and the capable drum & keyboard work of Husband. Give plenty of credit to Husband for laying down some serious vintage Fender Rhodes tones as well as majestic piano on this epic track. A real surprise is the appearance of former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett on "Moon Song", as his yearning notes play off the gentle drum washes and keyboard tapestries from Husband. Steve Topping's funky wah-wah licks are the star on "The Maverick", and Holdsworth returns on the atmospheric "Boulevard Baloneyo", a number that turns into quite the vehicle for Husband's drum chops.
Toss in a few short numbers featuring mostly Husband on drums & keyboards, and you have a lovely surprise fusion gem here to close out 2010. Needless to say, can't wait for Volume 2!
Track Listing
- Leave 'Em On
- Bedford Falls
- Between the Sheets of Music
- Yesternow (Preview)
- Afterglow
- Dreams in Blue
- Ternerg Jam
- Moon Song
- Swell
- The Maverick
- Boulevard Baloneyo
- Alverstone Jam
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