During his formative years of listening while ‘practice performing’ to records and radio in the 60’s and 70’s, as well as throughout college in the early ‘80’s, drummer/composer Phil Haynes marinated in the iconic electric guitar sounds of B.B King, Jimi Hendrix, the British Invasion, Broadway’s Rock Operas, and eventually jazz greats from Wes to Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, John McLaughlin and beyond.

In fact, before he met trumpet innovator Paul Smoker, guitarist Stephen Blackman (Portland, Oregon) took him under his wing as he attended high school. 7 years my senior, Blackman frequently hired more experienced cats to join them for small group jazz gigs and even musical theater work.

He introduced the local used record mecca (Django’s), PDX’s musical nightlife, multiple cheap yet yummy restaurants, regional museums, etc., etc., and all of this to a soundtrack of Miles, ‘Trane, Mahavishnu, DeJohnette . . . whatever cats he hadn’t heard. One electrifying education!

While enduring Covid, he unexpectedly inked Chasing The Masters, with dreams of “what’s next” now beginning to swirl: just what did he itch for that wasn’t already published? A Return to Electric project (out April 28th, 2025) soon dawned: pairing early fusion jazz classics with a handful of his own; actualized by a power trio that showcased inspiring chemistry; sensitive through roaring dynamics; a blues to Bartok hipness; naughty experimental rock + jazz lineages, with all of this presented via both a gritty and beautiful abstract modernism.

1. Crystal Silence
2. Spectrum
3. Living Time
4. Spell
5. Cadenza (Haynes)
6. Paul / Christian
7. Cycle
8. Eclipse
9. Cadenza (Salerno)
10. Lotus on Irish Springs
11. Some Sick Slick
12. Cadenza (Gress)
13. Paraphernalia

This magnificently cultured, wholly authentic new recording opens on the low ebbed Crystal Silence and the frenetically charged Spectrum and then we get the drum led funk of Living Time, the gentle funk-soul skip bounce of Spell, the smoothly grooved Cadenza (Haynes), and then comes the absorbant, ambiently-hued Paul / Christian brought forth.

Along next is the more resplendent musical affair of Cycle and the playfully decadent Eclipse and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the playfully jaunty, .34 second piece Cadenza (Salerno), the sumptuous late night vibe of Lotus on Irish Springs, the upbeat Some Sick Slick, the set rounding out on the esoteric Cadenza (Gress), coming to a close on the 70’s-imbined, funktastic bluesy-jazz vibe of the brilliant Paraphernalia.

Musicians:
Steve Salerno, guitar
Drew Gress, bass
Phil Haynes, drums

Official Purchase Link

www.philhaynes.com

www.drewgress.com