Jazz Articles

Alan Morse: Four O'Clock and Hysteria

by John Kelman
June 25, 2007

Eschewing the layered keyboards, vocal choruses, and generally “big" production of his normal gig as guitarist with neo-progsters Spock's Beard, Alan Morse's Four O'Clock and Hysteria comes out of left field. While there are unmistakable hints of progressive rock to be found, it's more fusion than prog, an album where guitar is the dominant voice. Alongside Genesis sideman Daryl Stuermer's Go! (2007), it looks like InsideOut Music is pursuing its own niche somewhere between rock instrumental, progressive rock, and fusion. ...

Daryl Stuermer: Go!

by John Kelman
May 23, 2007

The peril of being a musical gun-for-hire is that it becomes difficult to know exactly who the artist really is. It becomes even more challenging when an artist like guitarist Daryl Stuermer works in seemingly disparate styles. Stuermer first emerged on the 1970s fusion scene, working with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and keyboardist George Duke. But he quickly became the guitarist of choice for progressive-turned-pop group Genesis through to its 1992 demise, and has remained a member of drummer/singer Phil Collins' ...

Steve Hackett: Wild Orchids

by John Kelman
November 11, 2006

With the rumor mill in high gear about a 2007 Genesis reunion, the release of band alumnus Steve Hackett's Wild Orchid couldn't come at a better time. This release reminds us just how significantly Genesis changed after his departure in 1977. Virtually all affiliation with the progressive rock camp that the group inhabited during the first part of its career ended when Hackett left after the tour that resulted in Seconds Out (Atlantic, 1977). Given the mega commercial success that ...

Proto-Kaw: The Wait of Glory

by Glenn Astarita
May 16, 2006

For my money, Proto-Kaw's 2004 release Before Became After was a modern-day progressive rock classic. Featuring Kansas founder and guitarist Kerry Livgren, that and this recording explore and extend concepts pursued by the group prior to the advent of its '70s-era commercial success. And while this newly issued studio session might not transcend or perhaps parallel the overall brilliance of Proto-Kaw's previous outing, it is in every sense of the word an admirable followup.

The ensemble continues to generate strong ...