Classic Rock Start Page Album Review
SCOTT KINSEY - KINESTHETICS
1. Kinesthetics 7:41
2. This Is That 4:56
3. Sometimes I... 5:02
4. The Combat Zone 8:13
5. Quartet 5:36
6. Wishing Tree 4:16
7. Big Rock 4:42
8. Uncle Pats Gypsy Van 5:10
9. Under Radar Intro 1:16
10. Under Radar 5:48
11. Shinjuku 5:33
12. One For Jinshi 8:52
© 2006 Abstract Logix
Scott Kinsey e-mail: kinseygigs@scottkinsey.com
Scott Kinsey website: www.scottkinsey.com
Scott Kinsey, for years now the keyboardwizard of first class fusionband Tribal Tech, has finally made his first solo-album. And what an album!! Kinsey invited some longtime friends in the L.A.-fusionworld: his Tribal Tech-bandmate Kirk Covington (drums), Steve Tavaglione (saxophone and EWI specialist), Paul Shihadeh and Jimmy Earl (bass), Brad Dutz and Cyril Atef (percussion), as well as some special guests: his other Tribal Tech-bandmates Gary Willis (bass) and Scott Henderson (guitar), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Abraham Laboriel, Armand Sabal-Lecco and Robert Hurst (bass), Michael Landau and Jinshi Ozaki (guitar), Tim Hagans and Walt Fowler (trumpet), Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Satnam Ramgotra (percussion), and finally Ronald Bruner Jr. (drums).
The album opens with "Kinesthetics", a fine song on which the Vocoder reminds me of an album of Brazilian fusion-jazzfunk giants Azymuth (Cascades). "This Is That" gives a simple rhythm and yet is difficult in it's playing.
"Sometimes I..." is a jazzlike uptempo-song, and this proves the cohesion between the players. "The Combat Zone" even lets you think you're in the seventies, although it's a fusion-oriented disco-rhythm. "Quartet" gives Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, and yes, one can instantly recognise his style of drumming. Really the same sound he produces from his drumset as on Andy Summers' album Earth + Sky (2004). Impressive, as well as the keyboardsolo from Kinsey.
"Wishing Tree" is a fine improvisation-intermezzo, quiet and relaxing with a subtle mouth-organ, is it real or synth? Listen yourself! Kinsey co-wrote this fine song with Steve Tavaglione. In "Big Rock" the Vocoder returns, and still it remains an instrument with a very unique sound. It fits well in Kinseys music, and even some African influences come around in this song. "Uncle Pats Gypsy Van" even puts some reggae into the song. Again, no stress here because of the repeating easy rhythm. "Under Radar Intro" is another improvisation. Kinsey co-wrote this with Kirk Covington, and "Under Radar" follows up as almost easy-listening, with some fine saxophonework from Tavaglione. "Shinjuku" shows the diversity of Scott Kinsey in playing and programming his keyboards. Some fine sounds are reproduced in this song, as well as good guitarwork by Scott Henderson. Also Ronald Bruner Jr. behind the drumkit gives some fantastic drumming in this song. Finally "One For Jinshi" gives a slow rhythm on which Michael Landau produces a great guitarsolo. Also Tim Hagans' trumpet is fine arranged.
All in all "Kinesthetics" shows great performances of all musicians and it must be great for Scott Kinsey to play with them. It's an outstanding album, with topfusion and -jazz all the time. Kinsey reaches a high level in performance, as well as the other musicians, and that makes "Kinesthetics" a must-have for fusion-lovers and Tribal Tech-fans.
Review by: Clemens Steenweg, October 2006