Recalling the glory days of
R&B
-based
jazz-rock
fusioneers like
the Blackbyrds
or '70s-vintage
Mongo Santamaria
,
Vinyl
aren't just another
jam band
. With its deliberately
Roger Dean
-inspired cover art (featuring some fever-dream cross between a pterodactyl and a Victrola) and double-disc setup,
All the Way Live
is an unapologetic throwback to the heady days of the 1970s, when an instrumental band could fearlessly slide back and forth between
Latin
jazz
funk
, and
rock
while showing off all the tasty licks and heavy chops it could muster. Though the average song length on the 20-track
is up around the six- or seven-minute range, there is very little aimless jamming here and the solos are admirably concise. Guests include
Funkadelic
's
Bernie Worrell
, adding his familiar clavinet and organ, bassist
Rob Wasserman
taking the lead on the African-tinged bass-and-percussion showcase
"Wildebeest,"
and, of all people,
Huey Lewis
blowing some impressive harp on the bouncy New Orleans-style shuffle
"Skumbo."
Recorded live during a two-night stand at
the Great American Music Hall
in
's hometown of San Francisco,
is that rarity, a two-disc live album with very little filler. ~ Stewart Mason