Tribal Tech - Primal Tracks (2008)

There is plenty to like about this 1994 release of Tribal Tech material culled from the group's earlier offerings -- Tribal Tech, Nomad, and Dr. Hee -- specifically, the complex yet beautiful harmonic balance and dedicated interplay between Henderson's guitar and the rest of Tribal Tech (bassist and co-bandleader Gary Willis; drummers/percussionists Brad Dutz, Joey Heredia, and Steve Houghton; keyboardists David Goldblatt and Pat Coil; and saxophonist Bob Sheppard). In a genre of music that is completely ignored by the radio, the great thing about a hits collection like this is that the finest material (not necessarily the most commercial) is what makes the grade (and the track list). Selecting material for Primal Tracks must have been difficult, but the job was well-done. Each cut demonstrates the spirit of experimentation and musical dexterity that real fusion fans should expect from Tribal Tech, and there are more than a few classic Henderson solos to please shred fans with a taste for meticulous and occasionally outside-solid-body expansionism. This music speaks for itself, so fans familiar with Henderson's other projects (including his flashy solo blues recordings) would be wise to check out Primal Tracks, as it is a pronounced and articulate encapsulation of the splendid early-career work of the guitarist and his fine fusion band. -- Vincent Jeffries ~