Victor Wooten, Dennis Chambers & Bob Franceschini

Bassist Victor Wooten, saxophonist Bob Franceschini, and drummer Dennis Chambers slam together a new 21st-century fusion sound on Trypnotyx, their new jazz-funk-fusion album.

After launching their magic bus with a backwards glance at 20th-century psychedelia, they take us on a head-spinning journey that fans of Primus and Tool should dig just as deeply as those who fondly remember the sunny heyday of Weather Report.

As expected on a Wooten project, the album seethes with virtuosity. But every track also drips with fun, sometimes the in-your-face kind, elsewhere a little more subtle. No matter how busy the arrangements get, there’s always a twinkle in the eye of the storm, whether it’s the gypsy-style theme of “Liz & Opie,” the airy funk of “Cruising Altitude,” the joyous high-speed “Funky D,” or the slinky blues of “The 13th Floor” with its sneaky oscillation between swing and funk.

It’s easy to forget that nobody’s comping the changes on a guitar or keyboard. The trio creates its landscapes – somehow both impressionistic and intricately detailed – with bass, drums, horns, and some soulful guest vocals from Varijashree Venugopal and Michael Winslow.

01 Take Off
02 Dc10
03 Liz & Opie
04 Cruising Altitude
05 Funky D
06 The 13th Floor
07 A Little Rice and Beans
08 A Soul Full of Ballad
09 Caught in the Act
10 One Hand
11 Trypnotyx
12 Final Approach
13 Cupid
14 Landing

Victor Wooten- Bass
Dennis Chambers – Drums
Bob Franceschini- Sax