Press Kit

This is jazz, as surely as Hancock's Head Hunters was. And very hip… It is not all out there, collective improvisation or no. The average listener has surely come a long way, but Tritone Asylum will not lose folks raised on the Brecker Brothers or Pat Metheny. This recording will keep you listening hard, maybe for an elusive tritone. Whatever the case, the production is rocking and the rhythm section is especially locked in. Lots of fun.

A versatility of style that many jazz bands never achieve… I loved it.

For fusion and modern jazz fans TriTone Asylum has plenty of heart and is very accessible for the average listener. There are markings of Weather Report in both a smooth and fusion jazz blend that spreads nicely across the soundscape. It is a pleasurable album that is a good friend for many joyous listens.

TriTone Asylum delivers stellar keyboard and guitar performances and guitar-keyboard interaction. The excellent ensemble brings together some of the best players in Los Angeles. Their captivating style incorporates a wide range of influences, from irresistible funk jazz and Weather Report virtuosity to Pat Metheny sensibility, world music beats, and even Focus-style progressive rock elements.

TriTone Asylum collective is definitely doing their job. They creatively pull-off mixing electronic music with acoustic instrumentation. They blend the sound of the EVI and electric bass, like cream and coffee. Philip Topping’s EVI blows me away! Philip Topping’s tune, “Schizophrenic” snatches my attention with the funk drums of Dave Johnstone and the bass work of Sepsis. It reminds me of the “Headhunter” album days. The melody is catchy and dances between the keyboard and the horn lines.

The Hideaway Sessions, the second album by the stylistically diverse and wildly adventurous L.A. based jazz fusion ensemble Tritone Asylum, doesn’t sound like any other contemporary work in the genre… those cats create nothing short of magic.

Super tasty listening jazz that lifts you out of your chair, this set is the proof that it’s 5 p.m. Friday somewhere in the world right now.  Well done.

‘Simple’ starts with his EVI and bass and gives way to a funky piece full of fusion. Twelve minutes of adrenaline recorded live… The whole group brings enthusiasm. Metheny's influence is noticeable in many passages on the album, especially thanks to Topping and his EVI, by creating textures similar to Metheny's synthesized guitar… Tritone Asylum also brings us reminiscences of Weather Report.

Off centered, The 54 Blues is one of my favorite tracks on the release with 5/4 time, and Topping leading the way on Electronic Valve over a tight drum cadence by Johnstone. Waddell breaks loose with a dynamic guitar solo that speaks nicely and Vo's sax solo is quite soulful. Forman lays in a great key solo, and precise guitar punctuation adds a nice touch.

Blending the basic acoustic setting of a jazz quintet with the variable tones of the EVI, TriTone Asylum brought some fascinating new views to such familiar jazz items as Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower", Ralph Towners "Icarus", and Hampton Hawes "Sonora".