Extraction (album)
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
Extraction is a collaborative studio album by guitarist Greg Howe, drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Victor Wooten, released on October 7, 2003 through Tone Center Records.[2] According to Howe, the album went through a very difficult recording process which spanned two years, resulting in disagreements between the three musicians and Shrapnel founder Mike Varney, as well as several delays in the release date.[1][3]
"A Delicacy" is a re-recording of an instrumental previously released on Now Hear This, a 1991 album by Howe II (an earlier band of Greg's). "Proto Cosmos" is a popular jazz fusion composition by pianist Alan Pasqua, originally featured on The New Tony Williams Lifetime's 1975 album Believe It.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz | Neutral[4] |
| AllMusic |    [2] |
Todd S. Jenkins at All About Jazz gave Extraction a mixed review, describing it as "just about evenly divided between well-crafted, thoughtful compositions and dead-end chops demonstrations." Praise was given to each musician for their technical craft and musical contributions, but criticism was directed at some of the songs for being "pretty much inconsequential filler, the kind of aimless noodling that almost put fusion in its grave a decade ago." Furthermore, he remarked that Howe "tries to say too much at times" and Wooten "tends to fall into the 16th-note babble pattern." Jenkins concluded by saying "Extraction does have its moments, but it's not the most wisely considered entry in anyone's catalog here."[4]
Greg Prato at AllMusic gave the album a more positive review, saying that "the tunes often recall the carefree fusion days of the 1970s [...] As far as modern-day fusion goes, Extraction is pretty darn consistent from front to back". He listed "Crack It Way Open", "Tease", "Ease Up", and the title track as highlights.[2]
Track listing
All music is composed by Greg Howe, except where noted
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Extraction" | 6:13 |
| 2. | "Tease" | 6:07 |
| 3. | "Crack It Way Open" | 5:59 |
| 4. | "Contigo" | 6:30 |
| 5. | "Proto Cosmos" (Alan Pasqua) | 4:15 |
| 6. | "A Delicacy" | 2:24 |
| 7. | "Lucky 7" | 6:02 |
| 8. | "Ease Up" | 6:20 |
| 9. | "Bird's Eye View" | 6:18 |
| Total length: | 50:08 | |
Personnel
- Greg Howe – guitar, guitar synthesizer, keyboard, production
- David Cook – additional keyboard, keyboard solos
- Dennis Chambers – drums
- Victor Wooten – bass
- Mark Gifford – engineering, mixing
- John Grant – engineering
- Tony Gross – mixing
- Ashley Moore – mastering
References
- ^ a b Thal, Ron (2004-04-29). [dead link]. Guitarist Heaven. Archived from the original on 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
- ^ a b c Prato, Greg. "Extraction - Greg Howe". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
- ^ Chopik, Ivan (2006-02-27). "Greg Howe Interview". Guitar Messenger. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Todd S. (2003-10-18). "Greg Howe/Victor Wooten/Dennis Chambers: "Extraction" (2003)". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
External links
- In Review: Howe/Wooten/Chambers "Extraction" at Guitar Nine Records