Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips will be releasing "Protocol 4" on October 27th on Phantom Recordings, distributed by AMPED™. Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility. Whether it is Rock, Fusion, Jazz or World, Simon applies the same precision and intensity to his drumming, which is never lacking in emotion and feel.
Simon has upped the ante with his newest instrumental recording "Protocol 4." Building on his past Protocol projects, Simon has again enlisted the highly talented bassist
Ernest Tibbs along with Protocol newcomers, the superb veteran guitar shredder Greg Howe and keyboard virtuoso Dennis Hamm. All compositions were written by Simon while on tour.
"The first time I've really been able to concentrate on writing material on the road. Lots of creativity on airplanes and in hotel and backstage dressing rooms," says Phillips.
Perhaps the vibe and energy of touring accounts for the slightly more "metallic edge" to this new album. But, as is always the case, Simon's music defies specific labels as he fuses elements of rock, jazz, funk, classical and even world music into the mix. A case in point being the track "Celtic Run" combining a Celtic rhythmic motif with blazing guitar and synthesizer leads all held together with Phillips signature ultra-tight drumming and Tibbs ever solid bass work. "Passage to Agra" is a rhythmic musical excursion to an exotic foreign land. The tracks "Pentangle" and "Solitaire" both contain some super funky grooves underlying jaw dropping metallic jazz/rock soloing. Greg Howe's guitar work shines throughout the recording, perhaps no more so than the plaintive and anthem-like track "Phantom Voyage." Dennis Hamm's keyboard work is stunning on each and every track, whether he's soloing or adding lush orchestration. The album concludes with the monster high energy fusion track "Azorez."
In addition to awesome musicianship, Simon's impeccable production and recording technique shine once more on this album. "Protocol 4" is certain to please longstanding
Simon Phillips aficionados and is certain to also bring new Protocol fans into the fold.
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Bios
Simon Phillips (Drums) - To date
Simon Phillips has toured and recorded with many bands and artists, including:
Mick Jagger, The Who,
Jeff Beck,
Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears,
Judas Priest, Roxy Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Al DiMeola, 801,
Pete Townshend, Robert Palmer,
Mike Oldfield,
Stanley Clarke, The Pretenders,
Whitesnake and Dave Gilmore... to name but a few. Expanding his career from drumming to composing, Simon recorded his first solo album "Protocol" in 1988, followed by a live album, "Force Majeure," in 1992. During that year he joined Toto on their
Kingdom Of Desire tour of the World, the start of a 21 year collaboration. He recorded his third solo album, "Symbiosis," in 1995 and "Another Lifetime" in 1997. "Out of the Blue," a live album, followed in 1998 and in 1999 he released "Vantage Point," which is a pure, straight ahead jazz album in collaboration with pianist Jeff Babko. Yet another expansion to Simon's musical career is producing and engineering, which he first started back in England with British composer
Mike Oldfield, working on three albums with him. Aside from his solo projects, Simon also co-produced several albums by Toto. In 2009 he formed PSP with
Philippe Saisse and Pino Palladino. A live CD and an EP was produced and tours of Europe and Japan in 2011 & 2012. In 2010 he joined
Michael Schenker for a short tour of Japan and performed with
Trilok Gurtu and the NDR
Big Band for an amazing project resulting in the "21 Spices" CD. That year Simon was approached by Japanese virtuoso pianist Hiromi to form "The Trio Project" together with bass legend
Anthony Jackson. The trio has recorded four CDs: "Voice," "Move," "Alive" and "Spark" and has been touring throughout the World the past 6 years. 25 years after his first solo recording, Simon released "Protocol II" featuring
Andy Timmons (Guitar),
Steve Weingart (Keys) and
Ernest Tibbs (Bass). The band, under the name of "Protocol II," toured in Europe, the US and Japan. At the beginning of 2014 "Protocol III" was recorded and tours of Europe, Japan and the US followed. And now much to the excitement of
Simon Phillips fans worldwide, the new CD, "Protocol 4," will be released on October 27th!
Ernest Tibbs (Bass) - Ernest has worked with
Natalie Cole,
Dionne Warwick,
Gladys Knight (musical Madam Lilly),
James Ingram,
Melba Moore,
Eloise Laws, and
Debra Laws. Ernest has also toured and/or performed with Allan Holdsworth,
Simon Phillips, Dean Brown, Harvey Mason, Scott Henderson, Andy Summers, Jeff Richman, Thom Rotella,
David Benoit,
David Garfield, Phil Upchurch, Dan Segal,
Tom Scott, Eric Marienthal, Brian Auger, Ronnie Laws, Jeff Lorber, Gregg Karukas, Kevin Toney,
Pat Kelley, Lee Ritenour, John Pisano, Brian Bromberg, Brandon Fields,
Norman Brown, Russian Pop Star Alsou, as well as symphony orchestras in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
Greg Howe (Guitar) - Greg has collaborated with artists such as
Dennis Chambers, Victor Wooten, Richie Kotzen, Jason Becker, Billy Sheehan, Stu Hamm,
Simon Phillips, Marco Minneman, John Wetton, Dave Weckl, Bernie Worrell, Gregg Rolie, Eddie Jobson, and many others. He's also made a name for himself as a stellar sideman and session musician with artists like
Michael Jackson,
Justin Timberlake,
Christina Aguilera, Rihanna,
Enrique Iglesias, and many more. Greg Howe endorses: DV Mark Amps, Kiesel Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Seymour Duncan Pickups, and
Carl Martin Pedals.
Dennis Hamm (Keyboards) - Currently he can be seen on tour around the world performing with
Thundercat (Stephen Bruner),
Flying Lotus (Captain Murphy), Larry Carlton, Jonathan Butler, and Virgil Donati. Recent past tours and performances include Allan Holdsworth,
Chris Cornell, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Ryan Leslie, John Densmore (The Doors), Bilal, and
Judith Hill (
Michael Jackson). Other artists he has performed or recorded with are
Kenny Loggins, Pete Escovedo, Will
Kennedy &
Jimmy Haslip (The Yellowjackets),
Walter Smith III, Jojo Mayer, Ronald Bruner Jr., Cliff Almond, Frank Gambale, Hadrien Feraud,
Jimmy Johnson, Janek Gwizdala,
Bob Reynolds, Marcus Belgrave, Tony Macalpine,
Mike Miller, Thomas Pridgen,
Sheila E. Justo Almario, Tony Royster Jr., Melvin Davis, Jimmy Branly, Brian Bromberg,
Renee Olstead, Carlitos del Puerto, Sandro Albert, Buck Owens' "Buckaroos", Monty Byrom, The Smokin' Armadillos, and his own original projects including funk/jazz group Mother Funk
Conspiracy featuring L.A. saxophonist
Zane Musa.
Protocol European & US Tour 2017
Simon's new band will be on tour promoting "Protocol 4" starting October 26th.
October 26, 2017 Zug CH Theatrer Casino Zug
October 27, 2017 Verona IT Theatro Ristori
October 28, 2017 San Dona Di Piave IT
Revolver Club
October 29, 2017 Rome IT Crossroads
October 30, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe
October 31, 2017 Bologna IT Bravo Caffe
November 2, 2017 Waidhoen AD Ybbs AT Plenkersaal
November 3, 2017 Katovice PL NOP SR
November 4, 2017 Krakow PL Club TBA
November 6, 2017 Vienna AT Porgy & Bess
November 8, 2017 Buhl DE Jazztival
November 9, 2017 Ravensburg DE Trans4Jazz
November 10, 2017 Reichenburg DE Bergkeller
November 11, 2017 Munster DE Jovel
November 13, 2017 Hobro DK Bil Forretningen
November 14, 2017 Kolding DK Godset
November 15, 2017 Copenhagen DK Amager Bio
November 16, 2017 Oslo NO Cosmopolite
November 17, 2017 Larvik NO Bolgen Kulturhus
November 18, 2017 Gothenburg SE Nefertiti
November 19, 2017
Stockholm SE Fasching
November 20, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's
November 21, 2017 London UK Ronnie Scott's
November 23, 2017 Hasbergen DE Masterclass
November 24, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage
November 25, 2017 Hasbergen DE Gaste Garage
November 26, 2017 Zoetermeer NL De Boerderij
November 27, 2017 Hengelo NL Metropol
November 28, 2017 Verviers BE
Spirit Of 66
November 29, 2017 Aschaffenburg DE Colos-Saal
November 30, 2017 Tallinn EE Russian Cultural Cnt
December 1, 2017 Rorschach CH Jazzclub Rorschach
December 2, 2017 Lichtenstein LI Little Big Beat Studios
December 4, 2017 New York City NY Iridium
December 5, 2017 New York City NY Iridium
December 6, 2017 New Hope PA Havana
December 8, 2017
Chicago IL Reggie's
December 9, 2017
Chicago IL Reggie's
December 10, 2017 Detroit MI Jazz Café @ Music Hall
December 12, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill
December 13, 2017 Hollywood CA Catalina's Bar & Grill
December 14, 2017
Santa Cruz CA Kuumbwa Jazz Center
December 18, 2017 Oakland CA Yoshi's
Note: the live ensemble features: Otmaro Ruiz on Keyboards:
Otmaro Ruiz (Keyboards) - Considered one of the most important jazz pianists in the current scene, venezuelan Otmaro Ruiz is known for his versatility and virtuosity. He has worked with music artists:
John McLaughlin,
Tito Puente,
Arturo Sandoval, John Patitucci, Paquito D'Rivera, Jing Chi, Nana Caymmi, Dori Caymmi, Akira Jimbo, Frank Gambale,
Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, Art Davis Quintet, Charlie Haden
Liberation Music Orchestra, Alain Caron, Gino Vannelli, Tolu,
Frank Morgan, Robben Ford,
Vinnie Colaiuta and Jon Anderson. Otmaro Ruiz enjoys a US support deal from KAWAI
Pianos and proudly endorses products from the following companies: LP (Latin Percussion), ART, RADIAL ENGINEERING, MACKIE, ZOOM, PRIMACOUSTIC, US MUSIC CORP (QuikLok, Washburn Guitars), SCARBEE and ILIO/SPECTRASONIC.
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