RATINGS: A = must own B = buy it C= average D = yawn F = puke

HBC – HBC
Tone Center Records
www.shrapnelrecords.com

Rating: A

Someone needs to tell guitarist Scott Henderson that Jeff Beck is alive and well and to stop trying to outdo him. For Henderson to play this good is not fair to the Rock Icon.

All jokes aside, HBC is a trio of amazing musicians playing music that is not for those who only enjoy three minute songs, with three chords, and a catchy chorus. This is music made by musicians, for musicians and those who appreciate true musical virtuosity.

The band consists of jazz musicians Scott Henderson, Jeff Berlin and Dennis Chambers. Henderson comments on the trio’s goals with this album, released to store on October 16th, “The trio is all about interplay. Jeff and I have always had a very high level of communication when we play together and putting Dennis in the mix notches it up even higher. He's an extremely musical drummer, but at the same time has the ability to bring the energy up to scary levels.”

Bassist Jeff Berlin adds, “We pretty much have the same vision of how three strong players should sound together. We function well on many levels; we're friends and love to hang. We're also individually dedicated to high standards of playing.”

The drums and bass are amazing in their own right; however, Henderson steals the show. He is well versed in jazz, yet he has a ton of hard rock, blues influences in him that seep out all over the album. Think Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore mixed with dynamic jazz freeform soling and you get an inkling of what Henderson can dish out.

The album sees the musicians paying homage to many of their heroes by covering songs by Weather Report, Herbie Hancock and Billy Cobham. It is not just a tribute album though, as they also play many original compositions. Says Jeff. “We all agreed to the repertoire but Scott picked most of the songs.” Scott explains, “I thought it would be cool if a guitar trio covered songs by keyboard players like Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock, though we did some Wayne Shorter tunes as well.”

'HBC – Henderson, Berlin, Chambers' will be available on Amazon, iTunes, Shrapnel Records and local record stores on October 16, 2012.

To purchase 'HBC – Henderson, Berlin, Chambers':@http://www.amazon.com/HBC-Berlin-Chambers-Henderson/dp/B00936A2SM/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1347392766&sr=1-1&keywords=hbc