What was true of
Master Plan is also true of
Dave Weckl's third album as a leader of
Hard-Wired -- it isn't the fusion masterpiece
Weckl is capable of delivering, but it certainly isn't bad either. This time, the drummer's guests include keyboardist
Jay Oliver and bassist
Anthony Jackson as well as bassist
John Patitucci, who like
Weckl, was no longer a member of
Chick Corea's Akoustic and Elektric Bands and was making his own albums a priority. The album's main emphasis is fusion that is fairly accessible, yet substantial and improvisatory. Tunes like the Asian-influenced title song and the groove-oriented "Crazy Horse" weren't recorded with hard bop's hard-liners in mind, but at the same time, they don't pander to NAC radio. As enjoyable as this album is, it isn't essential. One sensed that
Weckl's best work as a leader was yet to come. ~ Alex Henderson