Smith, E. Doctor – “Quantum” – [Edgetone Records]

Max Level   1/20/2014   CD, Jazz

All instrumental. Sort of a jazz fusion project but not really. Bandleader Smith plays the Zendrum electronic drum system in basically a trio format with a guitarist and bassist, and there are a couple of guests doing cameos on trumpet and guitar synth. Releases on the fine Edgetone Records label tend to be filed in KFJC’s jazz library, and this one will as well because it does strike me as something from the heavier rock/fusion end of the jazz spectrum. It’s an interesting lineup: Smith’s Zendrum electronic drum-trigger device is pretty rad, and bassist Tom Shiben is all about playing Rickenbackers, to my ears an excellent sound but very un-jazz-like. And then there’s guitarist Jack Wright who can shred like crazy and shines throughout the record. This often has a mid-80s King Crimson vibe or maybe one of those Bruford/Levin/Torn projects. And that’s good stuff. Shiben and Wright composed most of the material. I really got into this.