Chad Wackerman has had quite a career, adding his supreme drum talents to albums by Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth, James Taylor, Andy Summers, and many others, but the guy also knows how to put together a solo project as well. Dreams, Nightmares, and Improvisations is his latest release, and is a collaboration with Holdsworth, keyboard player Jim Cox, and bassist Jimmy Johnson. The CD is made up of composed pieces as well as stunning improvisations that showcase not only the instrumetal talents of the players but also Wackerman's penchant for creating a catchy melody.
Though this is by no means an album that was meant to come across as a drum clinic, Wackerman does lay down mean stick work throughout, like on the tricky "Bent Bayou" alongside a blazing Holdsworth solo, or saddling up next to Johnson's slippery bass grooves on "Star Gazing". Holdsworth's menacing tone on "Edith Street" slowly creeps out from under Wackerman's intricate fills, slowly building in intensity before erupting into a flurry of notes that is vintage Holdsworth. The guitarist adds in his trademark chord textures to the atmospheric "The Fifth" amidst plenty of coloring from Cox, and "The Billows" offers up some of the CDs catchiest melodies to go along with the top notch instrumentation. Fusion freaks will love " Monsieur Vintage", a ripping number that sees Wackerman & Johnson really digging into a wild groove while Holdsworth drops a sensational solo, and the drummer gets his moment in the spotlight on the solo piece " Rapid Eye Movement".
Dreams, Nightmares, and Improvisations is without a doubt one of the most exciting solo albums from a drummer I've heard in some time. Chad Wackerman has always been one of our most cherished players, yet he's never really had his chance to shine in the spotlight until now. Though Dreams, Nightmares, and Improvisations is meant to be more of a band effort, there's no doubt who the star of the show is here. Fusion fantatics will certainly need this one in their collections.
Track Listing
1. Glass Lullaby
2:32
2. A New Day
6:59
3. Bent Bayou
4:00
4. Star Gazing
2:41
5. Edith Street
3:38
6. The Fifth
6:38
7. Waterways
3:08
8. The Billows
5:49
9. Monsieur Vintage
3:38
10. Rapid Eye Movement
2:33
11. Brain Funk
3:28
12. A Spontaneous Story
3:56
13. Two for Ya
2:44
14. Invisible
1:35
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