Remember the good old days, when jazz-fusion wasn't all about showing off your chops, and was more about creating sweeping moods, and the importance of songwriting? Well, the Bombastic Meatbats certainly remember those days. Having obviously studied the classic early-to-mid '70s recordings of such fusion greats as Return to Forever and Jeff Beck, the group (which includes such members as Grammy winning Red Hot Chili Peppers/Chickenfoot drummer Chad Smith, guitarist Jeff Kollman, keyboardist Ed Roth, and bassist Kevin Chown), is back with their sophomore full-length album. Aptly titled, "More Meat," the album is jam-packed follow-up to last year's critically acclaimed "Meet the Meatbats," and once more, is released by Warrior Records via Universal Music Group Distribution.

"'More Meat' is just that...it has much more music on the bone," quips Smith. "We stretched out more, the playing is more tighter, and there's a more improved recorded sound, haha!" "There is a new depth to the songs and the band has it's own vibe," adds Roth. "We have all played live together so much that the band has really found it's sound. Since so much of this group is interplay and listening, it was important that this time around when recording we were set up so that we could really hear ourselves and each other well. This contributed to some very strong performances."

Smith originally crossed paths with Kollman and Roth via their mutual association with legendary singer/bassist Glenn Hughes (Smith is best friends with Hughes and he, Kollman and Roth act as his solo band). After it was discovered through jam sessions that the trio had developed an instant chemistry, Kollman suggested his pal Kevin Chown would be the perfect four-string fit. And then...voila! The Meatbats were born.

As with their debut, "More Meat" is an incredibly consistent listen from front to back, shifting gears from smooth jazz, funk, and rock - a recipe for some truly tasty modern fusion. As Kollman recalls, "We basically moved in to a small Venice studio and recorded over a three day weekend. DONE! Writing-wise, it was par for the course. I planted the seed on a few of the tunes at home and presented them to the Meatbats. Ed would throw in that brilliant bridge or a melody that I couldn't find. The Bats then performed quick surgery and turned it into magic...but much of the record was written by all as we jammed in the infamous Malibu Tiki room at Chad's house in Malibu. The origin of the songs are all a bit different. It could start with a drum groove, or a bass line, or a genius Ed 'the Wrench' Roth progression."

Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats new full-length "More Meat" CD is available tomorrow (10/19)!

If you would like to win a copy of this new CD, just answer this easy question: Chad Smith's main band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers didn't start their career with him ... he was the third drummer for that band. So, what were the names of the other two (2) drummers that came before Smith?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these new CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before December 1st with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: BOMBASTIC MEAT BATS CDs to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

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