Protocol 4 (Phantom Recordings)
Simon Phillips
Released October 27, 2017
Grammy Nominee for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album 2019
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=7OAIEJJeD9E&list=OLAK5uy_k_KdedJ6NuR-Mdi-rZJ5_pOYpi9j5TQv4
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4Wgsrg1Qoulud9yq17dM9G?si=GFKJQkueRcutRcL9V1VY1w
About:
Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips is by far one of the world’s most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility. Whether it is Rock, Fusion, Jazz or World, Simon applies the same precision and intensity to his drumming, which is never lacking in emotion and feel.
Simon has upped the ante with his newest instrumental recording Protocol 4. Building on his past Protocol projects, Simon has again enlisted the highly talented bassist Ernest Tibbs along with Protocol newcomers, the superb veteran guitar shredder Greg Howe and keyboard virtuoso Dennis Hamm. All compositions were written by Simon while on tour.
“The first time I’ve really been able to concentrate on writing material on the road. Lots of creativity on airplanes and in hotel and backstage dressing rooms”, says Phillips. Perhaps the vibe and energy of touring accounts for the slightly more “metallic edge” to this new album. But, as is always the case, Simon’s music defies specific labels as he fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, classical and even world music into the mix.
In addition to awesome musicianship, Simon’s impeccable production and recording techniques shine once more. PROTOCOL 4 is certain to please longstanding Simon Phillips aficionados and is certain to also bring new PROTOCOL fans into the fold.
Track Listing:
1. Nimbus 8:56
2. Pentangle 6:46
3. Passage To Agra 7:16
4. Solitaire 5:58
5. Interlude 1:39
6. Celtic Run 7:47
7. All Things Considered 5:52
8. Phantom Voyage 7:31
9. Azorez 6:44
Personnel:
Simon Phillips: drums
Ernest Tibbs: bass
Greg Howe: guitar
Dennis Hamm: keyboards
Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Simon Phillips
Assistant Engineer: Marciel Miranda
Mastered by Brad Vance
Artwork by Van Williams
Photography by Stephanie Cabral
Review:
All-universe drummer Simon Phillips can navigate just about any rock-related genre with the greatest of ease, given his tenure with Toto, The Who; voluminous discography as a session artist and ongoing leadership with his jazz-rock ensemble, Protocol. On 4 guitar hero Greg Howe replaces Andy Timmons, and Dennis Hamm takes over keyboard duties for Steve Weingart, along with longstanding member, bassist Ernest Tibbs. Ultimately, Phillips strikes gold on the latest rendition, perhaps looming as the band’s finest outing to date.
The drummer’s polyrhythmic fury amid a pristine soundstage pushes, prods and accents the quartet’s largely melodic choruses via a fluidly moving program enunciated by a horde of climactic opuses and dynamics. Indeed, the musicians offer a sensory treat as Howe and Hamm thoughtfully build their soloing activities into exhilarating statements, as the ensemble often renders punishing crescendos and tricky time signatures. Howe’s crying and wailing extended notes, primed with legato and lightning fast flurries amid Tibbs’ clean and articulate lines are among many positives. More importantly, the album is designed with memorable works that instill enduring qualities.
“Pentangle” is a piece that exemplifies the ensemble’s diverse mode of execution and rhythmic excursions. Here, Phillips launches a massive shuffle groove leading to melodic unison choruses by Howe and Hamm. Moreover, the drummer’s ricocheting toms work progresses into a split-second paradigm shift, comprised of knotty pulses offset by Hamm’s blustery Moog solo and darting lines across his keyboards. With climactic buildups and Howe’s scorching notes, the quartet delves into a jazzy motif followed by Phillips’ tornadic solo, where gargantuan press rolls, rapid double bass drum patterns and swirling toms movements provide the knockout blow towards closeout. Throughout, Protocol zooms in for the kill with the added benefit of compositions that offer a polychromatic and multitiered sequence of energized musical events that propagate the winning formula.
Glenn Astarita (All About Jazz)
