Iconic drummer Simon Phillips is known worldwide for appearances with Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, Hiromi, Stanley Clarke and his own group, Protocol. Simon continues to evolve as a composer on the exciting new Protocol 6 album. As he says, "The material is actually quite different from Protocol V. With the band now in it's sixth year, I was able to write specifically for each player. It's my rock 'n' roll side that dictates the form of each tune, even though the style is definitely jazz-rock. I like to call it progressive jazz." The lineup in this road-tested outfit remains constant except that Phillip Whack now holds down the saxophone chair, playing tenor, alto and soprano with great authority.
Legendary drummer Simon Phillips is widely heralded for recordings and tours with Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola, Hiromi, Stanley Clarke and his own jazz-rock group, Protocol. But not everyone knows of a 1995 gem called Symbiosis, which featured an A-list of sidemen playing compositions penned by Simon and the celebrated British session guitarist Ray Russell. For this new 30th Anniversary Edition, the music is given entirely new life via digital restoration of the original analog tapes. Plus, a new bonus track called "Drum Check" provides a snapshot of Simon's sound today. Available in a beautifully rendered 6-panel CD digipak, Symbiosis is yet another "must-have" for Simon's many devotees worldwide.
Legendary drummer Simon Phillips returns with Protocol V, once again reimagining his adventurous jazz/fusion outfit. Instrumentation is expanded to a quintet format, including saxophone, launching the group into sonic territory familiar to fans of Chick Corea's Elektric Band in the late 1980s. Strands of DNA from other iconic artists like John McLaughlin, Tony Williams, Allan Holdsworth and Jan Hammer are woven throughout. Simon's impressive compositional skills are also on display, culminating in an 11-minute mini-suite called "The Long Road Home." Now available as a beautiful double gatefold LP set, remastered especially for 180 gram vinyl. Protocol V is a must for Simon's devotees worldwide!
Originally released in 1989, the first Protocol album became the blueprint for four stellar jazz/fusion records to appear more than 20 years thereafter. These tracks are the original demos on which Simon played all the instruments. (His keyboard sound might just remind you of a certain Jan Hammer!) Guitar parts were added on just three tunes. Later, a variety of musicians would use the demos as guides to re-interpret the material on future Protocol recordings. While this album was made available as part of Simon's 6-CD box set in 2019, this is the first time it has been reissued as a stand-alone CD. (And yes, it is different than the streaming version, with 5 additional tracks!) Protocol comes in a beautiful 6-panel package, complete with technical liner notes and vintage photos from the maestro himself!
Legendary drummer Simon Phillips returns with Protocol V, once again reimagining his adventurous jazz/fusion outfit. Instrumentation is expanded to a quintet format, including saxophone, launching the group into sonic territory familiar to fans of Chick Corea's Elektric Band in the late 1980s. Strands of DNA from other iconic artists like John McLaughlin, Tony Williams, Allan Holdsworth and Jan Hammer are woven throughout. Simon's impressive compositional skills are also on display, culminating in an 11-minute mini-suite called "The Long Road Home." Available as a beautiful 6-panel CD digipak! Protocol V is a must for Simon's devotees worldwide.
