Illicit
Illicit makes jazz fusion sound sharp, energetic and willing to cause a little trouble. Tribal Tech combine Scott Henderson's expressive guitar with Gary Willis' active bass, Scott Kinsey's keyboards and Kirk Covington's powerful drumming. The playing is demanding, but the group keep enough melody and groove to make the music inviting as well as impressive.
The Big Wave establishes that attitude with a joke. A smooth, comfortable opening gives way to louder, more sharply accented music. The change makes the band's intentions clear without needing an explanation. Beneath the humour is a group that can move together with remarkable precision.
Torque takes that force towards rock. Strong guitar chords support angular lines shared between guitar and keyboards. Henderson's lead sound can be cutting and fluid at once, with phrasing that gives the technical passages their own character. The rhythm section match his energy rather than merely providing a background.
Stoopid brings another keyboard colour into the picture through Kinsey's funky electric piano. Black Cherry goes in a more reflective direction, giving melody and atmosphere a greater role. These differences help the album feel like a collection of compositions, rather than a single extended display of instrumental ability.
The production is not always as clear as the playing deserves. A heavy low end can make some passages feel less open, especially when the arrangements become crowded. That does little to reduce the conviction of the performances. Illicit works because its four musicians have distinct voices and a strong shared direction. Blues feeling, rock strength and detailed jazz playing belong in the same sound here. For listeners drawn to adventurous guitar music, the combination remains exciting without depending on speed alone.
