Chad Wackerman: Scream

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: September 1, 2000

A true stylist, Chad Wackerman is arguably one of the finest rock-fusion drummers on the globe and is noted for his work with the late Frank Zappa, guitar god Allan Holdsworth and others. With his latest effort titled Scream, Wackerman once again displays his intrinsic musical approach to the drums—a characteristic that was undeniably prevalent on his extraordinary early 90's recordings, Forty Reasons and The View, both of which featured guitarist Allan Holdsworth.

Basically, Scream continues along the same paths as his previous recordings; however, guitarist James Muller's Holdsworth-like articulations—which includes extensive employment of legato—contrasts the springy yet hard-edged jazz-based lines he pursued with the high impact group known as Sonic Fiction. Here, vibraphonist Daryl Pratt who performed with the guitarist on Sonic Fiction's thoroughly enjoyable debut release for the Naxos label serves as the harmonic counterpart to Muller's expressive lyricism. Pieces such as "Timeless" and {Scream" are all about pumping rhythms, brief thematic statements and poignant soloing atop Wackerman's rock solid yet flexible drumming. Whereas, "My Two Worlds" boasts an ominous motif counterbalanced by Pratt's swirling mallets and Wackerman's slashing attack. Yet overall, the album lacks some of the tenacity witnessed on the drummer's previous projects as the invariable pace and somewhat plodding flow supersedes some of its brighter moments.

Track Listing: Scream; Between The Dog And The Wolf; The City; Looking In; Days Gone By; Timeless; Cycles; The Way Out; Holland; The Grey Chair; My Two Worlds; Youse From Here.

Personnel: Chad Wackerman: Drums, Percussion; James Muller: Guitar; Daryl Pratt: Vibes, Synths, Percussion; Leom Gaer: Bass; Jim Cox: Organ, Piano, Synths; Walt Fowler: Flugelhorn (9)

Record Label: Favored Nations
Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock