By Paula Edelstein

Not only is June 18, 1999 numerically significant but it was a special month for jazz-rock fusion. In a performance that heralded the release of VERTU, the new music collective conceived by former Return To Forever members, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White, this writer was finally among like-minded friends. Passionate Fusion friends. Vertu, the ensemble which stars bassist Stanley Clarke, drummer Lenny White, violinist Karen Briggs, keyboardist Rachel Z and guitarist Richie Kotzen is blazing a fusion path straight into the new millennium with their self titled CD , VERTU. From open to close, VERTU is a “no-holds-barred” set of challenging unison lines, radical tempo shifts, odd time signatures and furious trading of eights which set the tone for this brilliant fusion project. The compositional integrity of “On Top of the Rain,” “The Call,” “Anoche,” and Clarke’s two part opus, “Topasio,” is staggering in their display of musical growth from White’s and Clarke’s earlier days with RTF. The CD is the perfect rock-jazz fusion and alternative sound that a new generation of jazzoids will want to hear throughout the new millennium.

The introspective and darkly romantic, shimmering “Dance of the Harlequin”shows that the ensemble can indeed play gorgeous, swirling lyricism and "Start It Again" boasts Richie Kotzen’s vocals on a bluesy melody.The ensemble’s near-East flavored composition, “Marakesh,” is a superb collaboration by five artists that know their craft. Clarke’s rhythmic bass note-cascades burst onto the track with the might that his fans have known and appreciated for many years. “Toys” rounds out the set with spectacular interplay between Clarke’s phenomenal bass chops and Kotzen’s lightning guitar licks. White’s drumming is super awesome in a big way with solos that challenge the very beats of your musical heart. Brigg’s violin charts its course across fusion history as Rachel Z fingers the ivories in a brilliant performance.

Vertu’s members have each had brilliant solo careers as well as careers in trailblazing bands. VERTU will not only introduce the members to millions of new fans around the world, but will consummate the void left in the fusion world for so long. Lenny White is known throughout the world as one of the pioneers of jazz-rock drumming as a result of his “musicianhood” with Return To Forever, the premier fusion band of the early 70s that starred Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Al DiMeola. Since the breakup of RTF in 1976, White has gone on to establish himself as a producer, composer and bandleader in his own right. A versatile genius, the drummer has continued to make his mark in the straight ahead jazz genre while also reaffirming his fusion roots on three releases as a leader for the Hip Bop Label -- “Present Tense,” “Rederers of Spirit” and “Edge.” Lenny White’s stellar drumming and treatment of the hard-driving "The Call” with swelling changes and glistening embellishments is dynamic and forceful. It features Briggs and Kotzen trading licks in an exciting show of string virtuosity. The track is one of the best on the CD.

The fierce rhythms of “V-Wave” is the launching pad for VERTU’S dazzling set. Stanley Clarke’s electric bass chops are so exact that you can set your life’s rhythms by them. “With Vertu, we have come up with something that is definitely more challenging and on the edge. Everybody had to really dig in and practice this material. It wasn’t something that you could just come into the studio and play. We’re all really pushing and stretching on this record, and I think that makes for exciting music.” Not only is Vertu exciting, they are what jazz-rock fusion demanded, needed and now has. Not only is Stanley Clarke a bonafide bass hero who turned on a whole generation with his revolutionary playing in the ‘70s superband Return To Forever, but he is also a prolific composer in the jazz, pop and soundtrack idioms. He has been hailed as a Who’s Who In Composing and has made notable impact as a leader with solo albums like “School Days” and “Modern Man.” In the 80s, Clarke released a series of three albums by The Clarke/Duke Project, a popular urban contemporary band co-led by keyboardist George Duke, and a number of solo projects including “Time Exposure” and “If This Bass Could Only Talk.” He composed the soundtracks for “Passenger 57,” “Boyz In The Hood,” “The Five Heartbeats,” “B.A.P.S,” “Dangerous Ground” and “Sprung.” His 1994 album “Live At The Greek” brought him together with such respected musicians as guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Billy Cobham, keyboardist Deron Johnson and saxophonist Najee. His brilliant solo career to date was summed in 1997 by a retrospective entitled “The Bass-ic Collection.” Stanley Clarke had “hung up his hat on that jazz-rock fusion stuff” but the world thanks God that he put it back on. Vertu is Stanley’s “Return to Virtuosity.”

Rachel Z is a musician-in-progress and has played the gamut of jazz styles. With Vertu, she has definitely abandoned the “smooth” style released as “Love Is The Power.” With their desire to bring virtuosic playing back to mainstream music, Vertu is the perfect fit for Rachel Z. “On Top Of The Rain,” finds Rachel in top form and absolutely dazzling. Her solo on “Anoche” is classic and displays her genius on the keys in its true light. Her stints in the group Steps Ahead, Al DiMeola, Angela Bofill and Special EFX prepared her for solo debut “Trust The Universe” on Columbia Records. That release laid the groundwork for her acoustic jazz release in 1996 with “A Room Of One’s Own” for NYC Records. Her latest for the label is 1999’s NAC offering, “Love Is The Power.” Rachel has also distinguished herself as an accomplished synth programmer who made significant contributions to Wayne Shorter’s 1995 album “High Life” and Al Di Meola’s recent “Infinite Dream.”

Karen Briggs plays an ace set. Karen Briggs’ solo featured “On Top Of The Rain” is remarkable. She is a living master of her instrument and deserves the international acclaim that she is getting. Her bowing is pure art and is fresh as Spring rain on the Latin-flavored “Anoche.” It creatively and superbly reflects Briggs’ artistry as a composer. Her regal presence gained international attention as first violinist for New Age superstar Yanni, Karen Briggs is prominently featured on his triple-platinum opus “Live At The Acropolis.” Though classically trained, Karen adeptly crosses over into a variety of musical settings and has performed with such disparate artists as jazz great Wynton Marsalis, pop star Kenny Loggins and the rap group Wu Tang Clan. In demand as a session musician, she has played on a number of television soundtracks and feature films, including 1999’s “50 Violins.” Vertu is the zenith and perfect vehicle for Karen Briggs talent.

“Richie is what the group needed,” stated Lenny White. Richie Kotzen has lent a new spirit to the group with his dynamic rock licks. His bluesy vocals on “Start It Again,” is truly soulful and is should receive a lot of rock or alternative airplay. On the track, “Topasio Es Puro Corazon, Part One and Two,” Kotzen’s solos with the intensity of a new found prodigy. As a working musician since the age of 17, he first gained acclaim in guitar circles in 1989 with the release of his self-titled debut on Shrapnel Records. He has recorded five albums, including “Mother Head’s Family Reunion” and “Inner Galactic Fusion Experience.” His latest as a leader is “What It.” Kotzen has kept pace with his masterful friends. With Vertu being a conceptual departure from his previous releases Kotzen possesses a more diverse palette of musical colors than ever before. Kotzen also conveys a pervasive sense of fun and watching him play and listening to him gives one the impression that somewhere along the way, maybe Richie Kotzen will finally get a chance to stretch his fusion roots. Richie is pure attitude and is “virtued.”

VERTU is a Return to Virtuosity. They are our new alternatives..pure jazz-rock fusion with an attitude that both new and seasoned fans will embrace throughout the next millennium. The ensemble has exploded onto the jazz-rock fusion scene and must be seen and heard to be appreciated for the masterful works they present. Their performances are deep, aggressive and possess the energy, excitement and virtuosity that rock, fusion and alternative fans have been without for many years. Clarke and White have a new heyday with Vertu. With the addition of Karen Briggs, Rachel Z and Richie Kotzen, the group will be the new fusion virtuosos of the 21st Century. To support the album, Vertu has hit the road this summer with dates at the North Sea Jazz Festival and Montreaux Jazz Festival included in a European tour that precedes an extended American tour. Vertu is a Return To Virtuosity.