Simon Phillips – Protocol V (Phantom Recordings, 2022)
Composer and drum maestro Simon Phillips continues his marvelous Protocol series with volume “V”. Phillips finds some of the best players in the jazz fusion field and brings them together to perform his original compositions. This is high-energy fusion of the highest order with a melodic aspect and epic progressive rock influences as well.
This time, Simon Phillips invited Ernest Tibbs on bass; Otmaro Ruiz on keyboards; Alex Sill on guitars; and Jacob Scesney on saxophones.
As you would expect, the album features masterful creative drum performances from Phillips along with spectacular and memorable solos and melody lines from Ruiz and Still. Moreover, Venezuelan keyboardist and composer Otmaro Ruiz has a deeply satisfying style that is very similar to the sound of the late Chick Corea and Lyle Mays as well.