Tunnels - "Live: The Art of Living Dangerously"
(Buckyball Music 2004, BR012)
Tunnels - "Live: The Art of Living Dangerously"
(Buckyball Music 2004, BR012)
From Aural Innovations #30 (February 2005)
With their latest release, a live album, Tunnels proves once again that they are one of the most challenging and interesting fusion bands out there today. That should come as no surprise to those familiar with names like Percy Jones (bass) and John Goodsall (who guests on one track), both key members of the classic 1970's line up of Brand X. But the two other regular members of Tunnels, Frank Katz on drums and Marc Wagnon on midi vibes are equally part of the potent mix that make this such a great fusion band. The unique combination of classic rhythm section with midi vibes lends itself to some intense and smoking jams, but also to some brilliant designs in sound that can be at once haunting and trippy, at other times bright and electrifying. The band makes few if any nods towards commercialism. This is fusion as it should be. Complex, edgy, and pushing the boundaries of jazz and rock as far as they will go, and maybe even a little bit beyond that. The recordings were made at various venues across the eastern US, including two tracks recorded live at Nearfest 2003.
For more information you can visit the Buckyball Music web site at: http://www.buckyballmusic.com.
Email at: records@buckyballmusic.com.
Reviewed by Jeff Fitzgerald