The Haas Company Vol 1 – Galactic Tide, Featuring Andy Timmons (Psychiatric Records and Tapes, 2024)
Extraordinary drummer Steve Haas has assembled an exceptional ensemble of highly talented musicians under the banner of The Haas Company. Notably, the album Galactic Tide is the debut release on Haas’ new label, Psychiatric Records, establishing a new haven for progressive jazz-rock fusion.
The album opens with “Leather Pajamas,” a high-energy piece that presents the remarkable guitar skill of Andy Timmons. His shredding style, reminiscent of Joe Satriani, propels the track into the realm of instrumental fusion with a hard edge, skillfully avoiding the pitfalls of prog metal.
Track two, “1979,” is the album’s longest and arguably most captivating piece. It masterfully straddles the line between structured, epic progressive rock and fusion dexterity. Listeners are treated to an abundance of guitar virtuosity and commendable synth solos.
“Good Lieutenant” offers a technically impressive composition, featuring mesmerizing grooves and masterful time signature changes. The track shines with its creative percussion and bass interplay, intertwined with fantastic electric piano, organ, synths, and guitar work.
“Stockholm Syndrome” introduces elegant trumpet work that interacts beautifully with the electric instruments. Meanwhile, “Ballad for Andy” is a captivating instrumental blues that highlights the versatility of Andy Timmons’ guitar, demonstrating his ability to convey emotion and nuance.
Track six, “Magic Log,” leans once more into hard rock, spotlighting the electric guitar. On the other hand, the title track, “Galactic Tide,” is a feel-good, enjoyable piece with real drums that evoke the feel of trip-hop beats, adding a modern twist to the fusion genre.
However, “Tower of Babel,” the eighth track, falls short of the album’s otherwise high standards. The interaction between the hard guitars and saxophone fails to captivate, making it the least memorable piece on the record.
The album concludes with “Arrow of Time,” returning to scorching fusion. The highlight of this closing track is the spectacular guitar work, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of the album’s brilliance.
The band:
Steve Haas (Drums)
Steve Haas, a multi-faceted entrepreneur and musician, has pursued overlapping careers as a composer, producer, band leader, and drummer. Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and raised in Houston, he has a lifelong passion for classic progressive rock and fusion. This passion led him to establish The Haas Company and record albums spotlighting major innovators in these genres. From 2010 to 2021, Haas collaborated with notable musicians such as Andy Timmons, Jerry Goodman, Sean Lennon, Frank Gambale, and others, showcasing his versatility and commitment to exceptional musicianship.
Kirwan Brown (Bass)
Born on September 15, 1961, Kirwan Brown began his musical journey with piano lessons at age six and switched to bass guitar at 12. By 15, he was a professional musician. He refined his craft at the University of Miami in the early 1980s. In 1994, he released his debut solo album, Cool Grooves, recorded at Colorado Sound in Denver. Brown has collaborated with esteemed jazz artists such as Dave Valentin, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Nelson Rangell, and Kirk Whalum.
Andy Timmons (Guitar)
Andy Timmons, known for his work with pop-metal band Danger Danger, has sold over a million records worldwide and achieved two #1 MTV videos. As a session player, he has contributed to albums by Simon Phillips and Olivia Newton-John, serving as her music director and guitarist for U.S. tours. Timmons has shared stages with guitar legends like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson. His solo career began with ear X-tacy in 1994, and his recent release, Electric Truth (2022), showcases his earthy, funky, and bluesy sound.
Pete Drungle (Composer, Keyboards)
Pete Drungle, a Bessie Award-winning composer and pianist, has collaborated with Ornette Coleman, The Kronos Quartet, and Yoko Ono. He has composed scores for theater, television, film, and video, and worked with visual and performance artists like Michael Portnoy and Rudolf Stingel. Drungle is known for his adventurous improvisations, exemplified by his 24-hour continuous solo piano performance, praised by Wire magazine’s Alan Licht.
Wallace Roney (Trumpet)
Philadelphia native Wallace Roney began his trumpet studies at age seven and quickly gained recognition for his prodigious talent. Mentored by Clark Terry and Dizzy Gillespie, Roney played with Art Blakey, Cedar Walton, and Billy Higgins. His association with Miles Davis in 1983 marked a career pinnacle. Roney’s tenure with VSOP and his role in the historic Miles at Montreux concert earned him Grammy recognition. He continued to collaborate with luminaries like Chick Corea and Michael McDonald. Roney passed away on March 31, 2020, leaving a lasting legacy in jazz.
Jay Rodriguez, (Saxophone)
Jay Rodriguez, a reed musician from Barranquilla, Colombia, moved to NYC in 1970 and trained under mentors like Phil Woods and Joe Henderson. Leading the sax section for Tito Puente at age 15, Rodriguez has since collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Bill Ware and Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra. Co-founding Groove Collective, Rodriguez has earned three Grammy nominations and continues to perform internationally with over 200 gigs a year.
Al MacDowell (Bass)
Al MacDowell, born in Queens, New York, began his musical journey with classical piano at age six. Transitioning to electric bass, he caught the attention of jazz visionary Ornette Coleman at age 15. MacDowell’s unique style positions him among celebrated bassists like Stanley Clarke and Jaco Pastorius. Besides being a bassist, MacDowell is a producer, composer, sound engineer, and teacher, contributing significantly to the jazz music landscape.
Pete Gallio (Saxophone)
Pete Gallio’s musical journey has seen him perform globally and collaborate with top artists. Educated at the University of Miami and the University of North Texas, Gallio is a dedicated educator and performer. He has toured with orchestras led by Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, and Tommy Dorsey, and worked with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Williams. Gallio continues to be a prominent figure in the jazz world, performing extensively on the West Coast.
Buy Galactic Tide.