John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer & John Patitucci - The Hudson Project (2000) CD Rip

This quartet featuring Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, John Abercrombie, and John Patitucci was created for a corporate-sponsored performance-clinic tour. The fusion-like athleticism of Yellowjackets saxophonist Mintzer and the L.A.- based bassist Pattitucci is nicely balanced by the more ethereal tone and searching style of guitarist Abercrombie. Mintzer's fellow 'Jacket Erskine stitches the two camps together with his muscular brand of swing. Each contributes two tunes, beginning with a rhythm-changes based romp by Mintzer aptly titled "Runferyerlife." These four men prove themselves equally comfortable with the down-home funk of Erskine's "Cats + Kittens" and the more modern lyricism of Patitucci's "The Well." They demonstrate a combination of versatility and personality that has made each of them an MVP with different lineups(Weather Report, Chick Corea, Billy Cobham) as well as artists in their own right. This excellently recorded live date shows it's possible to successfully blend art and commerce, a clinical workout and dynamite playing. -- Michael Ross