Smv

[El_Jeffe]

after being greatly let down by the new flecktones album & wooten's solo record, both from this year, i was beyond pleased when i finally picked up wooten's latest project. smv, a collaborative group made up of three magnificent bass players, stanley clarke, marcus miller, & victor wooten, as well as a few guest musicians. at present i know very little of this group & their future plans, but this years debut album thunder is something any roots or world music fans should be checking out. anyone with an interest in jazz, fusion, funk, reggae, etc, etc will become hooked. i hear the group is also touring, & i'd definitely recommend getting out & seeing them if you get the chance

thunder is one hell of an album & just the sort of project i'm so so glad wooten & company are putting their creative energy into right now. all those furiously fast finger-picked melodies, patterned with sensational slapping harmonies. such a fusion of textures, tenor & style. a great range of songs, even the inclusion of "tutu", written by miller for the '86 miles davis album. a must hear. i couldn't find a myspace link for new fans, but i'm sure you guys can think of something

any fans, share some love & discussion?

[Jumpoff]

I remember you mentioning them last time I asked you how Victor Wooten's new solo album was. If it's that good, I'll definitely be checking it out.

[El_Jeffe]

wooten's last solo album, yuck haha. but this project is incredible. obviously with 3 of the world's greatest bass players this album is rhythm heavy, but remember these guys are also great composers, especially stanley clarke, so a strong scent of melody still rings clear. all executed wonderfully. my only slight complaint is i would have loved a 'heavier' or 'larger' feel to the percussion, to make this the ultimate rhythm record. but it's understandable given what the band was trying to achieve here

also, if a staff member of some sort sees this thread, could you please make the title say "SMV" all in upper case. it's the actual band name & ap's anti-caps rule is ruining it haha

[AP_Punk]

yayy another craig thread!

i'll be sure to check this stuff out. :nod:

[El_Jeffe]

haha i've really missed talking tunes with you guys! i don't know anyone in person who listens to anything more than radio-rock

the pools of talent, that are the members on this album, are all from such diverse musical backgrounds that a wide range of people could really get into this given the chance. so so awesome & creative. i really hope this album will pan out into a larger musical adventure that will bring delight to fans for many years to come

[AP_Punk]

haha. same here!

hopefully i can find some of their material on the web. your descriptions rock.

[absolutecrunk]

We talked about them in the Blog thread and you had yet to hear Thunder like last month. I'm really glad that you like it, being a bass man I'm very heavily biased towards anything done by any of these three (I even tolerated Palmystery) and I had unfortunately picked this album up too late to see the tour. They're going around once more next year though so I hope they return.

[El_Jeffe]

We talked about them in the Blog thread and you had yet to hear Thunder like last month. I'm really glad that you like it, being a bass man I'm very heavily biased towards anything done by any of these three (I even tolerated Palmystery) and I had unfortunately picked this album up too late to see the tour. They're going around once more next year though so I hope they return.

i too am always impressed by great bass work, partly why i really enjoy afrobeat, reggae/ska, funk, etc so much. i only got this album near a week ago & took a great liking to it instantly. i was starting to get worried about wooten's creative capabilities after palmystery & the last flecktones crappy christmas album, so this wonder piece really took my fancy. i would love to see them on tour, really hope you get the chance mate

[absolutecrunk]

Awww you didn't like Jingle All the Way? I don't think I could ever dislike a Christmas album just because I would feel too much like a scrooge. I was never a big fan of throat singing to be fair though. Back in high school our choir director brought in tapes from Mongolia of that stuff and as amazing as it is, that has to aaaabsolutely destroy your vocal cords.

[El_Jeffe]

Awww you didn't like Jingle All the Way? I don't think I could ever dislike a Christmas album just because I would feel too much like a scrooge. I was never a big fan of throat singing to be fair though. Back in high school our choir director brought in tapes from Mongolia of that stuff and as amazing as it is, that has to aaaabsolutely destroy your vocal cords.

not in the slightest haha. i must be the biggest scrooge out in that respect, i can't stand christmas songs, i even refuse to shop at a certain store in town over december solely because they keep playing the best of cliff richard's christmas hits, good grief. all depends for me, throat singing where the vocals are used more to make expressive sounds, more like an instrument, than to carry out a clever metaphor can be quite impressive

[Jumpoff]

Haha. i'm a complete scrooge with christmas songs myself. Even if it is a favorite band of mine doing the song. The only exception I can think of is Eels "Christmas is going to the Dogs"

[El_Jeffe]

same here, they just really don't need to be done most of the time. have you found thunder yet mate? any thoughts if so?

one of the best albums this year, everyone who lurks this should do themselves a favour & check it out

[Jumpoff]

Nope, I'm in my brother's house out of state, so no access to my own computer. I can't download albums to other people's computers haha. Will be getting on that as soon as I'm home though.