
The super-talented Gary Husband, a firstrank
drummer, keyboardist, and composer,
gathers eleven elite plectrum pals, including
John McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Mike
Stern, Wayne Krantz, Jimmy Herring, Robin
Trower, and Steve Hackett (as well as six
bassists), for a classic fusion foray. On the
bottom, Jimmy Johnson adds growling
groove beneath McLaughlin’s tornadic
solo on “Dreams in Blue” (plus his own
soaring solo turn), fill-peppered feel for
Holdsworth’s ringing “Fred 2011,” and deep,
sustaining fretless on “Boulevard Balonyeo.”
Elsewhere, Laurence Cottle is both rooted
and reactive behind Herring on “England
Green,” and Steve Price pushes and probes
“The Maverick.” Most eye-opening is Mark
King’s superb support and interaction, with
fingers on “Alverstone Jam,” and with thumb
and fingers on “Sulley.”