Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Lenny White (CBW)

Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Lenny White (CBW) - Traffic - 2006 - Chesky Records

THIS ALL-STAR fusion jazz trio's sophomore release has plenty of what listeners have come to expect from guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Victor Bailey and drummer Lenny White over the years in various settings. Hand-in-glove interplay, spacious arrangements that borrow freely from blues, rock, jazz and funk grooves, shining examples of Coryell's acoustic guitar balladry and romantic lyricism -- it's all here. There's even an oddly swinging, funk-charged cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression" that helps place Coryell's long and multifaceted career in perspective. Midway through the album, though, comes a big surprise. While saluting Thelonious Monk with a slithering take on "Misterioso," Coryell plays slide guitar. In the CD liner notes, Coryell is quoted as saying the slide work was inspired by Bonnie Raitt and Sonny Sharrock, which explains the arrangement's blues-to-beyond contours, but fans of Jeff Beck may view this track in another light since it sometimes recalls the British guitarist's similarly languid (albeit non-slide) take on Charles Mingus's "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat." Recorded live at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in New York, CBW often projects a freewheeling spirit, and although some of the tunes amount to little more than an excuse to jam, each member of the trio contributes a ballad that inspires a shimmering, subtly arranged performance: In fact, for all the firepower evident here, Bailey's "Joyce's Favorite," White's "Dedication" and Coryell's "Jake's Lullaby" clearly rank among the album's brightest moments, right up there with the Monk and Hendrix homages. © Mike Joyce © 2007 The Washington Post Company http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020800541.html

CBW’s great follow-up to their 2005 debut album, Electric. CBW are a trio including godfather of fusion, guitarist Larry Coryell, ex- Weather Report bassist Victor Bailey and Return to Forever drummer Lenny White. Original songs on the album include “Judith Loves Jazz,” “Door #3” and “Overruled,” along with great original acoustic numbers like “Jake’s Lullaby” and “Joyce’s Favorite.” The trio also cover Thelonious Monk’s “Misterioso” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Manic Depression”. “Traffic” is the fourth of seven albums released as part of The New York Sessions series and is a wonderful virtuosic blend of classic rock and jazz by three monster jazz musicians. HR by A.O.O.F.C. [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 143 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Judith Loves Jazz - Larry Coryell (5:12)
2. Manic Depression - Jimi Hendrix (3:57)
3. Door # 3 - Jane Getter / Lenny White (7:35)
4. Joyce's Favorite - Victor Bailey (7:08)
5. Misterioso - Thelonius Monk (7:56)
6. Dedication - Lenny White (5:37)
7. Drums & Bass - Victor Bailey / Lenny White (7:17)
8. Jake's Lullaby - Larry Coryell (3:42)
9. Overruled - Victor Bailey / Larry Coryell / Lenny White (5:14)
10. Electric Jam - Victor Bailey / Larry Coryell / Lenny White (9:11)

MUSICIANS

Larry Coryell - Electric, Acoustic, & Slide Guitar
Victor Bailey - Electric Bass, Drums
Lenny White - Drums