The Best of GHS

Over three albums, the GHS Trio has established identities away from the bands they have fronted or worked as sidemen. Frank Gambale's electric guitar work with Chick Corea is well-known; Stu Hamm has been a reliable electric bass guitarist since his time with the Steve Vai or Joe Satriani; while drummer Steve Smith's exploits with Journey, his Vital Information, ensemble or his legit jazz groups is well-documented. This collection is dubbed a best-of package, but is more an overview of what the combo has done collectively in contemporary jazz-rock fusion, an opposed viewpoint to so-called "smooth" jazz, with three tracks comprising a solo from each member. GHS has a compact sound, somewhat innovative from Gambale's standpoint, although his sinuous style is derived from previous icons like John Scofield, John Abercrombie, and to a great degree, British plectrists like Alan Holdsworth and Gary Boyle. There's an undeniable composition element, yet a loose feel to their collective concept that should strike most young listeners as akin to a jam band, yet original fusion lovers will find definite connections to Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius, and Larry Coryell's Eleventh House. Gambale is clearly the frontman, using a combination of fingerstyle and complex linear techniques to identify "Dangerous Curves," adopting electric bop more European than American à la Holdsworth during "Katahdin," while applying a fleet and lithe formula to the funky cut "The Throne of Savitar." There's a thoughtful approach removed from slam-bang wailing on the acoustic, upbeat "The Challenger" that is forceful without being forced, while the best track "Sink" has that clean, introspective feel in a loping 5/4 time signature. Of course, Smith is always on the money in whatever beat is within his domain, while Hamm shows something of his R&B background on "Geo 100," a Pastorius-like popping bassline that buoys Gambale's shiny and bright persona. Fans of GHS certainly have their CDs, but this one is geared toward those who only purchase collections, and is an apt introduction to a group that for these three musicians, has been an important sidebar to their more well known efforts., Rovi