TRIBAL TECH
Jazz Rock/Fusion • United States
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This jazz-fusion band was formed in 1984 by guitarist Scott HENDERSON and bassist Gary WILLIS and released their debut album "Spears" a year later. Subsequently they released numerous jazz-fusion albums throughout the late 80's and 90's. After a short hiatus from 1995 to 1999 during which the band members pursued various solo projects they reunited to to record two more albums in 1999 and 2000 and have not released any albums since then.
Their style is hard to describe because they varied it a lot on their various albums. There are strong influences of free jazz and blues, and they're going about their music in a very laid back way. While they have some mellow tracks, the majority of their music is very light and uplifting, and quite funny at times.
Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
Scott HENDERSON is an exceptional jazz/blues guitarist, and the interplay between the TRIBAL TECH musicians is simply amazing. HENDERSON has an unique understanding of jazz improvisation, and WILLIS and the various TRIBAL TECH drummers harmonize perfectly.
Discography:
Spears (1985)
Dr. Hee (1987)
Nomad (1990)
Tribal Tech (1991)
Illicit (1992)
Face First (1993)
Primal Tracks (1994)
Reality Check (1995)
Thick (1999)
Rocket Science (2000)
TRIBAL TECH Videos (YouTube and more)
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TRIBAL TECH discography
Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums
TRIBAL TECH top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.53 | 15 ratings
Spears 1985 |
3.84 | 21 ratings
Dr. Hee 1987 |
3.76 | 17 ratings
Nomad 1990 |
3.87 | 29 ratings
Tribal Tech 1991 |
4.15 | 26 ratings
Illicit 1992 |
4.09 | 22 ratings
Face First 1993 |
3.88 | 17 ratings
Reality Check 1995 |
3.93 | 32 ratings
Thick 1999 |
3.90 | 26 ratings
Rocket Science 2000 |
4.01 | 52 ratings
X 2012 |
TRIBAL TECH Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
TRIBAL TECH Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
TRIBAL TECH Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.17 | 5 ratings
Primal Tracks 1994 |
TRIBAL TECH Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)
TRIBAL TECH Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
DangHeck
Prog Reviewer
The title track is a solid opener, with steady, straight-ahead rhythm and excellent playing. The keyboards are spacious and add nice flourishes to the otherwise intense "Fusions" on top. Scott and Bob riff off exceptionally.
Dr. Hee continues along in various flavors and feelings. I much like the cool "Mango Prom", with continued excellence atop a near lounge feel (at least at its start). [See also the very lovely "Twilight in the North Ridge," headed off by Willis and featuring acoustic/classical soloings by Henderson.]
It should be noted here that this album has a really great, fairly natural flow. Even from the thoughtful, short "Solemn" to the boisterous lilt of "Salsa Lastra", a very fun, exotic-sounding song featuring the varied percussion of Steve HOUGHTON and acoustic piano by, I presume, Pat COIL. The other keyboardist present (Brad DUTZ) is apparently predominantly the "mallets" player, a wonderful (and rarer) feature to hear in the context of Fusion. A welcomed rarity, indeed. [Ya like Jazz? Ya like GARY BURTON QUARTET's Duster, the 1967 early Fusion classic? Well, ya should! Lol]
At the end of the album, we have the interludinal "The Rain", a quirky, near-Ambient synthy number that really does call to mind the randomness of an evening rain. Very enjoyable, even if they didn't find a way to tie it tightly to the album closer(?!). And "Ominous" it is. The closing track is (inversely) a tightly organized cacophony of what this band really has to offer (Maximalists, rejoice!). And with that, I can confidently say, at the front and back, they certainly tied this album with a nice (complex) bow. Definitely check it out. In case you missed my true feelings, I've bolded my favorite tracks. Enjoy!
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by JazzFusionGuy
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by JazzFusionGuy
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
Highlights for me usually involve Scott's guitar work but the bass is awesome too and I mentioned in my review of "Rocket Science" that this same drummer impressed me more than anyone so... yeah if your into complex playing without vocals check this band out. Scott plays in the bluesy style at times, even that country/folk style. Funk is on here too. No vocals but some freaky vocal expressions on the over 11 minute title track along with that funky and folky style. A light show from Henderson later on here which we also get on one of my favourites called "Slick". More of that on my other favourite "Jalapeno". Some misses in my opinion like "Somewhat Later", "Party At Kinsey's" and "Clinic Troll" but that's just my tastes.
A step down from "Rocket Science" in my opinion but many seem to disagree with this.
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
darkshade
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
The only thing you know you can expect is virtuoso playing from these guys, of course. After that, X sees the band playing around with song structures. Apparently, in 2010 they recorded most of the rough tracks for this album, lots of improvisation and so on. Then they spent the year and half before this album came out adding overdubs and structuring the jams, making much of this music seem composed; and in a way it is.
What I also like about this album is the "usual fusion" sound is gone, you know, that late 80s/early 90s fusion sound, like Chick Corea Elektric Band, Dave Weckl Band, or Zawinul Syndicate (minus the world fusion aspect); THAT sound. It's gone here. And it's good, because otherwise it would date this record horribly. No, the band is trying new things on this album. A little electronic beats here and there, different keyboard sounds, etc. This record is more earthly. There are moments of intense electric post-bop, some more soulful, contemplative playing by Scott Henderson, and a variety of other different moods.
It's not the most progressive album, but it's a fun record, and one of the more original albums by the band. And it's nice to see Tribal Tech not stuck in the same sound, experimenting with different things.
A pretty good fusion album. If you like modern fusion, you'll probably enjoy this. If you're a Tribal Tech fan, you'll enjoy the different feel this album has.
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by wbiphoto
I will begin by saying that I am not a big fan of the blues. I have a low tolerance level for repetitive lines, licks and chord progressions that have been heard ten thousand times before. However, this is one of those exceptions where the playing, although grounded in blues and jazz-blues, is so outstanding that it raises the bar beyond most anything that's being done today.
If you need structure, themes, choruses and predictability in your music, then this album is not for you. But if you'd like to challenge yourself and taste and absolute masterpiece of jazz and blues improvisation then I highly encourage you to buy this album and listen to it carefully. The interplay between the musicians and their ability to accent and highlight each others' lines are reminiscent of classics like Miles' Bitches Brew and Herbie's Crossings and other "ambient jazz fusion" records from the early 1970s.
What differentiates this TT record from the aforementioned is the guitar, which was mostly non-existent on those 70s sessions. On Thick you have Scott Henderson on guitar, displaying a blend of virtuosity, inventiveness and inspiration seldom heard in today's overly abundant power-chord and shred-heavy affairs.
Thick is one of those rare records that's able to get nasty, heavy, electric and downright mind-blowing technical, yet retain an organic feel throughout its entirety. The title track has to be one of the best examples of cosmic blues guitar I have ever heard with a slow ambient build-up that climaxes on one of THE BEST solos I have ever heard. I am big fan of using wah pedals tastefully, to add emotion and tension, and Scott raises the bar on wah soloing to unprecedented heights.
(If you're a tone junkie, then you will get your fix with Thick. Henderson's tone is so THICK, creamy, soulful, clean yet dirty, and able to pierce through the mix without sounding overbearing; not an easy thing to do in the studio).
Yes, there are other musicians on this record aside from Scott; even though the guitarist steals the spotlight. The rest of the band is amazing, as well, and maintains an airy, spacey foundation without losing the groove; and there are plenty of grooves. But, the grooves never last too long for the music to get repetitive or boring. First and foremost this a jazz record and the accompaniment adheres to that premise.
On the track What Has He Had the band goes into a King Crimson-like drum and bass syncopation that ends with voices laughing and clapping behind dissonance and chaos. An absolute surprise, yet seamlessly fitting right in with everything else on the record.
Sheik Of Encino starts out sounding a lot like the smoother jazz fusion of the late 80s and ends up rising to a frenzy worthy of challenging the very best of Weather Report or the Mahvishnu Orchestra. Of course, to keep up with the overall theme of the record, there is an obligatory ambient section in the middle with some keyboards and cymbal work that doesn't disappoint.
In conclusion, this is easily a five star recording, but not of "progressive rock music", but of ambient-jazz-blues-rock-fusion. A masterpiece is a masterpiece and it doesn't have to be Anglo-European-classically influenced for it to be considered "essential"; nor does it have to have a story line like The Lamb on Broadway for it to be deep and thoughtful.
If you're ready to step out of your comfort zone and take a break from the predictable metal power chords or the old and tired symphonic prog, Thick presents and opportunity to engage some of THE BEST improvised jazz-rock that you will ever find.
FIVE STARS for Thick.
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by Ovidiu
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
Evolver
Special Collaborator Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams
And yes, that last statement indicates that the songwriting is somewhat lacking. Mostly, we get some mandering chord progressions, with blips and blaps from the synths. But Henderson's soaring guitar and Willi's adept bass transcend every piece, and make them a joy to listen to.
Special mention should be made for Ominous. This piece, with some fine electronic tuned percussion, sounds very much like Bill Bruford's Earthworks band.
Tribal Tech Jazz Rock/Fusion
Review by
snobb
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
This album is fully improvisational jam played by very technical musicians. Even if pure-electric and very energetic, you can easily feel their jazz-roots. Guitar solos are based in Holdsworth tradition, rich bass is often very funky. All music sound technically very strong, any listener will be attracted excellent interplays.
The main this album's problem is composition. Being a great musicians in sense of improv technique and musicianship, the band recorded unfocused jam, which hardly can attract regular listener for repeating listening. Electric fusion fans could be more interested however.
Still really strong album, around 3,5.