"As we celebrate another amazing year for Jazz-Rock around the world, the recent release of TransFUSION, by keyboardist Art 'Spike' Schloemer, says everything we have to say about the state of jazz-rock on the planet: Fresh and Killin It!"
- John Pritchard -
Keyboardist Art 'Spike' Schloemer ist one of the few musicians who was "born 2 groove". His versatile approach has allowed him to erase the artificial boundary line between contemporary jazz, rock, electro-funk and world, sounding like himself in all idioms.
TransFUSION his solo album features an all-star roster of guest musicians including Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers, Kirk Covington, Bunny Brunel, Hadrien Feraud and Bob Franceschini.
Many people asked how would he categorize his music, because it doesn't really fit into one category. He described it as: second generation fusion...electrically charged, rhythmically intense euphony with the element of surprise.
Art 'Spike' Schloemer is most obviously influenced by musicians like Joe Zawinul and Jan Hammer. Schloemer is, like Zawinul, a true technical master, and like Hammer, has a lilt in his compositions that make them more than pleasing vehicles. The opening track, "Concussion," drives with the power of Ferrari racing machine. Things cool down a bit, but just a bit, on "Space Flight." The fast scalular runs ala Al Di Meola, are handled with taste and a distinctive cutting brilliance. "Distant Horizon" is a delightful Hammer-ish composition that melds moments of Zawinul's world music post-Weather Report phase into the mix. The off-beat syncopated melody bops along at a spritely pace with excellent and tight bass and drum work accompanying the lines in glorious tumult. Schloemer's cascading solo lines rise and fall in perfect complement.
Throughout the entire disc Schloemer proves himself a more than capable composer of electric jazz at the highest level, and as a soloist he establishes himself as a thoughtful and exciting technician. Schloemer's incredibly nimble fingers fly throughout the recording, and he puts them to good use in this collection of high powered, highly percussive fusion. For those who thought great electric jazz, or tightly constructed progressive rock of the 1970s and 80s was gone forever, this disc will restore your soul."
- Thomas R. Erdmann -
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| Spike and Dennis Chambers |
"Aside from the work of his special guests, Schloemer is responsible for the entirety of TransFUSION, making the disc an otherwise incredible singular achievement. Through his compositions, arrangements, multi-instrumental playing and programming, the keyboardist always manages to sound like he's looking forward, even as he reaches backward for inspiration."
- Bill Meredith -
