Dave Weckl Transition CD

With Tom Kennedy,Brandon Field & Steve Weingart

Dave Weckl Band: Dave Weckl (drums, percussion); Brandon Fields (soprano & tenor saxophones, alto flute); Steve Weingart (keyboards); Tom Kennedy (electric bass).
Recorded at Frankie's Hideaway Studios, North Hollywood, California from June 29-July 2, 2000. Includes liner notes by Dave Weckl.
Personnel: Dave Weckl (drums).
Audio Mixer: Dave Weckl.
Recording information: Frankie's Hideaway Studios, North Hollywood, CA (06/29/2000-07/02/2000).
Photographer: Alex Solca.
Dave Weckl's third release for the Stretch Records label reflects a new direction; seven newly penned compositions, new techniques, and new personnel. Aptly titled as Transition, the drummer benefits tremendously from his longstanding musical relationships with saxophonist Brandon Fields, bassist Tom Kennedy, and, the newest member of the band, keyboardist Steve Weingart. In addition to the four-piece lineup, Weckl jams with new percussive techniques; the incorporation of bongos, a tombek, wind chimes, and metal percussion into his drum setup. Just as the chart maker Synergy showcased the leader's ability to groove as well as to cut loose, Transition provides generous doses of high-energy drumming that characterized Weckl's days in Chick Corea's Elektric Band and the Akoustic Band, with the two approaches revealing a marked convergence. "Mild Hysteria" has a bluesy melody that changes gears harmonically for the solo sections and features the artist drumming in a fast double-time while the rest of the band is almost in half-time. Brandon Fields' "Group Therapy" features the saxophonist's swinging groove and great blowing. "Passion" is an emotional number that features the Steve Weingart great keyboards in tandem with Weckl's delicate, percussive ambience. Fields' beautiful sax is resonant and alluring on his solo and deepens the impact on the listener. "Crossing Paths" is another great song with a catchy melody that is marked by the consistent bass playing of Tom Kennedy. Together, the Dave Weckl Band is an ensemble that has blurred the line between soloist and accompanist and creates layers of sound that flow between several distinct moods. ~ Paula Edelstein
Both individually and as a group, the members of the Dave Weckl Band went through many changes during the making of the aptly titled TRANSITION. The most obvious differences are the replacement of Weckl's longtime keyboard cohort Jay Oliver with the talented Steve Weingart, and the subtraction of guitarist Buzzy Feiten. Weckl, too, makes a few adjustments in his approach this time around, adding a plethora of percussion instruments to his already formidable drum kit arsenal.
Musically, the group gets along just fine. Weckl's famed high-powered drumming is in its usual stellar form as he pulls off jaw-dropping feats of agility and speed. Weingart is a welcome addition, providing tasteful keyboard work throughout, and ably filling the role of the lone harmonic backdrop with some impressive solo spots. Weckl's boyhood buddy Tom Kennedy returns on bass, fitting seamlessly into the leader's contemporary rhythms. Finally, the veteran Brandon Fields reprises his role as the melody man, punching out funky lines and blowing memorable solos. Highlights include the popping opener "Wake Up," the frenetic "Mild Hysteria," and the nicely sparse ballad "Passion."

JazzTimes (6/01, p.102) - "...Weckl leads an expedition into funk, Latin and blues territory that redefines form, busting through conventional genre lines..."u