Traffic

Following their rockin' 2005 debut album, "Traffic" finds guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Victor Bailey and drummer Lenny White harnessing their considerable experience in an eclectic blend of jazz, R&B and rock.Larry Coryell debuted on Chico Hamilton's "Dealer" album in 1966 and has appeared on more than 200 albums, 70 as a leader. Coryell was involved in the early fusion movement, later moved into acoustic, and for the last few years has refined his sound as a traditional jazz guitarist.Victor Bailey began his recording career with Weather Report, and has played with such diverse groups as Steps Ahead and Madonna. Bailey's ability to play both rhythm and lead provides for a deep rhythm section.Lenny White is best known for participating as one of the drummers on Miles Davis's Bitches Brew sessions, and as a member of the most famous lineup of Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Since embarking on a solo career White has collaborated with the cream of fusion players, including Brian Auger, Jan Hammer, Miroslav Vitous and Al DiMeola. With a heavy groove and chops to burn, White is a drummer comfortable in any style."Traffic" begins "Judith Love Jazz," a Coryell composition with blazing solos by both Coryell and Bailey.Though the melody to Hendrix's "Manic Depression" is weak, Coryell manages to pull it out with an excellent rock guitar solo.One of the highlights of the album is White's quirky "Door #3". This is a great tune, played wonderfully by all. White shows what an incredible drummer he is with his use of finesse and clever odd meters.Coryell pulls out his acoustic on the Bailey's beautiful tune "Joyce's Favorite". Both Bailey and Coryell play lovely solos that could easily end up on a smooth jazz station.For the first time on a recording, Coryell plays slide on the Monk tune "Misterioso". With a country flavor, Coryell solos with uncommon flair during the break. This tunes finishes with jazz comping and a short jazz solo by Coryell.Once again Coryell plays acoustic on White's "Dedication". On this on, Bailey demonstrates some of the most beautiful bass lines you'll ever hear.Where other similar artists might come out shredding, Bailey and While play with incredible restraint on their duet outing "Drums and Bass". Bailey plays mostly chord figures on this funky, uplifting jam.Coryell is alone on his modern acoustic solo piece "Jake's Lullaby". Coryell demonstrates what a master guitarist he is on this jazz and classical workout.The band returns with "Overruled". This track has a head that sounds loosely like a "Led Zeppelin" tune, but breaks into heavy jazz-rock chording.The album concludes with the anthem "Electric Jam". Once you hear this tune, you can't get it out of your head. With its rock-inflected solos and incredible rhythm section, this track alone is worth the cost of the album.There isn't a single low-point on "Traffic". Every tune has the vibe of a working band playing live at the top of their game. This is one of the top jazz-rock fusion albums of the last few years.

I am a rather hard to please music lover. I don't like pop, hip-hop, cowboy country or even much classical music. But I do like well played, well produced contemporary music and this SACD was a pleasant addition to my music collection. I am not a verbose reviewer, so I will not expound on the qualities of each song or artist. I will say if you are here looking at this SCAD you should really give a good sample listen. If the music fits your taste I think you will be rewarded by purchasing this. Nicely played, well produced, high quality and most important of all, very enjoyable to listen to on a regular basis.The only reason I only gave this a 4 star rating is the music style is not my favorite.

Nice collaboration with Lenny White and Victor Bailey

Purchased because I saw Coryell live and am very familiar with what I should be getting. This is recorded POORLY, then I read the linear notes bragging about the purity of the recording, no effects or lots of electronics plugged into the signal chain and recorded with one microphone. Coryell's electric guitar is buried on most cuts, the acoustic is a little better. I first thought it was a home made record on some equipment now obsolete.

Most famous for being a jazz-rock pioneer, throught his career Larry Coryell shows that he's capable of all kinds of guitar work. Here,he's in a power trio with two other jazz-rock legends, all three of them showing their playing, writing, and talents as band members.

This is a series of very simple repetitive songs which are almost all DRUM HEAVY. Drum is right up front and is being struck crisply with force. This can be good on occasional solos but is too much for an entire album

CBW is back with their second album and Mr. Coryell, Mr. Bailey and Mr. White show why they're the best power trio slash jazz fusion group working today. By and large, big name recognition has eluded Larry Coryell despite his considerable talents. Larry will tell you that Jimi Hendrix is, hands down, the best guitarist ever. In the same breath, he'll tell you he resents him because it feels like his life was stolen from him. At roughly the same time as Jimi, Larry Coryell was blasting out fiery lick after lick and is widely regarded as the father of jazz fusion guitar. Doesn't seem fair that one man is a legend and the other man is acknowledged as one of the founders of a genre that many people think died back in the seventies. Stylistically, this album is more diverse than the first album, reminding his audience that Larry is equally at home playing straight jazz as well. Oh yeah, the other two guys, Victor Bailey and Lenny White, are pretty darned good as well. Seems like I've heard their names some place before. I think maybe they played fusion as well. Tongue planted firmly in cheek. One of my favorites of the year.

Great work from the masters of Jazz fusion.

Un son de hangar sur un disque Chesky ?? Alors là j'ai eu de gros doutes à la lecture de ce commentaire, connaissant bien ce label pour posséder plusieurs de leur production.Ayant reçu ce disque, je déments: le son est bon. Même très bon. Tant d'ailleurs sa couche SACD que sa couche CD.La batterie au centre au son aéré et percutant (les coups de caisse claire sont redoutables, la grosse caisse est 'minérale' et profonde), basse à droite, ronde, précise, présente, et la guitare, sur la gauche, elle aussi superbement retranscrite.Musicalement moi j'aime beaucoup. Particulièrement la reprise d'Hendrix sur la plage 2, vraiment originale et savoureuse. C'est du jazz-rock instrumental, j'accroche bien.Comme d'habitude chez Chesky, c'est capté live, pas de ré-enregistrement, pas d'effets appliqués après coup, et ça rend le disque vivant, spontané et très réaliste; en fermant les yeux on imagine aisément les musiciens dans l'espace devant nous.Enfin voilà, chacun ses goûts, chacun son matos musical, chez moi ça passe vraiment bien et je trouve qu'il serait dommage de passer à côté de ce disque uniquement par la peur injustifiée d'avoir une mauvaise qualité d'écoute.

Dés le début je me suis demandé si ma chaîne HI-FI n'avait pas un souci. Mais non, les musiciens semblent jouer dans un hangar...Ca fait tout drôle (c'est dû au fait que c'est un SACD mais compatible CD ?). Hormis cela, le disque est assez moyen dans l'ensemble, trés trés loin du SPACES REVISITED, lui, excellent.

ラリー・コリエルをあまり評価してないし、凄く安かったので買ったのですが、とても良かった。特に、ほとんどの曲でドラムの音を中央に定位させてパワフルなのが良かった。ビクター・ベイリーのベースもぐねぐねしてロックらしい。コリエルはやはりベテランなのでロックギターも上手いし、アコギでボサノバ調の曲も弾いていて再評価してしまった。特に悪い点は無いのですが、無理に褒めることもないので星４個にさせて頂きました。