What was true of
Master Plan
is also true of
Dave Weckl
's third album as a leader of
Hard-Wired
-- it isn't the fusion masterpiece
Weckl
is capable of delivering, but it certainly isn't bad either. This time, the drummer's guests include keyboardist
Jay Oliver
and bassist
Anthony Jackson
as well as bassist
John Patitucci
, who like
, was no longer a member of
Chick Corea
's
Akoustic
and
Elektric Bands
and was making his own albums a priority. The album's main emphasis is fusion that is fairly accessible, yet substantial and improvisatory. Tunes like the Asian-influenced title song and the groove-oriented
"Crazy Horse"
weren't recorded with hard bop's hard-liners in mind, but at the same time, they don't pander to NAC radio. As enjoyable as this album is, it isn't essential. One sensed that
's best work as a leader was yet to come. ~ Alex Henderson