Jazz / Crossover Jazz; Contemporary Jazz; Jazz-Funk; Fusion
Recorded: Studio 88, St. Louis, Missouri
Dave Weckl - Drums
Eric Marienthal - (2-4) Saxophone
Jay Oliver - (1-6, 8, 9) Keyboards, Piano
Chick Corea - (5, 8, 9) Synthesizer
Michael Brecker - (5) Tenor Saxophone
Steve Gadd - (8) Drums
Anthony Jackson - (2-5, 8, 9) Bass
Jerry Hey - (1, 3) Trumpet
Bill Reichenbach - (1) Trombone
Tom Kennedy - (1, 7) Bass
Ray Kennedy - (7) Piano
Peter Mayer - (2, 4, 6) Guitar
Scott Alspach - (6) Trumpet
Dave Weckl's recording career as a leader was off to a decent start with Master Plan -- not a fantastic start, but a decent one. The drummer had made a name for himself playing with Chick Corea's fusion-oriented Elektric Band and his straight-ahead Akoustic Band, and his admirers greeted this CD with high expectations. But while Master Plan isn't the mind-blowing gem it could have been, it's a competent, enjoyable jazz-rock outing. Weckl has talented guests in keyboardist Jay Oliver, tenor saxman Michael Brecker and Elektric Band colleagues Corea and Eric Marienthal (soprano and alto sax), and he is in good form on pieces that range from the funky "Tower of Inspiration" to the Afro-Cuban-influenced "Festival de Ritmo" and the Brazilian-minded "Auratune." The CD's only hard bop offering is "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," which finds Weckl forming a trio with pianist Ray Kennedy and bassist Tom Kennedy. Master Plan isn't essential, but it isn't anything to be ashamed of either.
---Alex Henderson, allmusic |
