There is much in common with these two multi-decade, mainstay ensembles: both walk the line between smooth jazz and fusion (Spyro, with a more-defined writing style, saves its chops side for live shows, while Vital lets it all hang out on disc). And both revolve around two cornerstone members (saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Tom Schuman in Spyro; drummer Steve Smith and keyboardist Tom Coster in Vital). But the real bond between the bands is their unsung bass heroes. Spyro Gyra’s Scott Ambush and Vital Information’s Baron Browne are extremely versatile groove monsters, who can also blow and write. Witness Ambush’s feisty fretless solo on “Get Busy,” his hard-plucked melody on “Wassup!,” and the percolating James Brown/go-go pulse he applies to his self-penned title track. On Vitalization, Browne burns his fretless turn on “J Ben Jazz,” and takes a ferocious finger and slap solo on “The Closer.”
-Chris Jisi