High Bias by Niacin - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Niacin showed a great deal of promise on its self-titled debut album of 1996, and there were no signs of the infamous sophomore slump on the fusion trio's second album, High Bias. Recalling the '70s experiments of John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever and the Billy Cobham/George Duke Band, this exciting CD served as a reminder that the freedom of jazz and the intensity of rock can complement one another in a major way. Niacin must have been quite a learning experience for its bassist Billy Sheehan, whose main pre-Niacin gig had been his hard rock band Mr. Big. When he formed Niacin with organist/keyboardist John Novello and drummer extraordinaire Dennis Chambers in the mid-'90s, Sheehan proved that he had no problem handling jazz's complexity and challenges, and he proves it once again on everything from the urgent "Slapped Silly" and the Cuban-flavored "Montuno" to the churchy "It's the Little Things" and the cerebral "Hang Me Upside Down" (a song contributed by Stretch Records co-owner and onetime RTF leader Chick Corea, who has a nice cameo on keyboards). Another high point of the CD is Weather Report's "Birdland," which Niacin approaches in a rather angular fashion. Those who like their fusion meaty and improvisatory should make a point of obtaining High Bias.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo

1. High Bias

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

2. Birdland

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Joe Zawinul; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Joe Zawinul; Other

3. Slapped Silly

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

4. Montuno

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

5. Revenge

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

6. Cool To The Touch

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

7. Darkside

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

8. It's The Little Things

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

9. Soul Diversion

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

10. Who Cares If It's Raining

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Billy Sheehan
John Novello; Other

11. Hang Me Upside Down

Producer: Niacin; Production
Primary Artist: Niacin; Main Performer
Composer: Chick Corea; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Chick Corea; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 8 minutes and 59 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 3000x3000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

No lyrics found

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Jazz, Fusion, Rock

Label

Concord Records

Music Distribution Service

Unknown

Country

United States

Language

No linguistic content

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1997

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

88807239171