Founded by all-world drummer Steve Smith back in the 80’s, Vital Information celebrates its tenth recording with a slightly organic vibe as these superb musicians delve into a variety of formats. The keyword here is groove, as these stylists (and frequent poll winners) align their wares for a group sound that has become easily identifiable! On this deceptively complex yet thoroughly entertaining affair, Smith sets the pace via his polyrhythmic outbreak on the opener, “Cranial #1" (an ongoing series of spontaneous improvisations). However, the band subsequently ventures into the stratosphere with streamlined exactitude during the hotly swinging number “Mr. T.C.” Smith opts for a scaled down jazz kit, while perennial guitar hero Frank Gambale employs a hollow-body electric. On “Shagadelic Boogaloo,” the quartet engages in a 70’s pop-soul mode, along with a few inadvertent nods to the Chitlin Circuit. Keyboardist Tom Coster picks up the accordion for the New Orleans style shuffle motif titled “Our Man In Louisiana.” With this piece, you can almost see a hot and humid summer day, way down yonder in Nawlins, complete with the aroma of spiced up crawfish permeating the streets of the French Quarter.

on “Sideways Blues,” Gambale’s now infamous sweeping chord progressions and Coster’s fluent B-3 lines ride above Smith and bassist Baron Browne’s steaming, turbocharged swing vamps. The ensemble’s multifaceted voyage continues throughout the intermittent “Cranial” sequences, where they propagate smatterings of EFX atop pulsating cadenzas. No doubt, you’ll get your money's worth here! Recommended.
Vital Information