An album that proves that spontaneous composition can be both melodic and groovy. Recorded live in the studio in one take, with no overdubs, '21st Century V-Bop' covers a vast landscape both sonically and stylistically. From the raging opener of "The Path of Non-evitability" to the drums and bass of "The Front", to the more pensive McLaughlin dedication "John's Intelligent Ears", the music covers all bases and moods.
Tony Hymas will be best known for his work with Jeff Beck (There and Back, Guitar Shop), Stanley Clarke, Jack Bruce and to a younger audience for his collaborations with Ursus Minor. Paul Dunmall is best known as a free improvisor who has worked with many of the top improvisors worldwide, including Henry Grimes, Andrew Cyrille, Keith Tippett etc. Philip Gibbs here provides fresh approaches to both rock and jazz guitar styles, with nods to McLaughlin's technique and Hendrix's walls of sound, whilst drummer Anderson provides strength and groove alternately, with reference to the mighty cohort of fusion drummers past and the march of modern groove-based music into the future. If you thought all improvised music is necessarily directionless atonal and a-rhythmic, a re-evaluation could start with this CD.
Personnel: Mark Anderson (drums), Paul Dunmall (tenor & soprano sax), Philip Gibbs (guitar), Tony Hymas (keyboard)
