Like many jazz critics, the writers for the German magazine "Jazz Thing" dislike most contemporary fusion jazz. But when they listened in on the recordings for METRO's first album, they discovered that this music was different: "It's power-fusion instead of elevator music" was the reaction.
Mitchel Forman could only agree: "Yes, I guess that is the best name so far. Chuck and me wrote some of our best tunes - with Anthony and (drummer) Wolfgang Haffner we made them come alive."
Due to his busy schedule, Anthony Jackson was not available for the recording of the new album "Tree People". But guitarist Chuck Loeb and keyboarder Mitch Forman had no trouble finding an adequate succesor in Victor Bailey, who has played with Bill Evans' "Petite Blonde", "Weather Report" and "Steps Ahead" among others. Of course drummer Wolfgang Haffner stayed with the band. "He is one of the most exciting modern drummers in Jazz and Funk" is the judgment of both Loeb and Forman. Unlike their self-titles debut-album, "Tree People" also features guests on a few songs - vocalist Carmen Cuesta from Portugal and saxman Nelson Rangell.
Most of the songs were written by Loeb and Forman - with Loeb taking a more dominant role on some songs. As Chuck Loeb puts it: "Most of my solo albums could only feature a certain side of my writing and playing. With Metro I can go much further - playing heavy rock-lines as well as more esoteric improvisations. " This actually contrasts nicely with Mitch Formans piano - which is even more obvious on their new album than before. "The blend of acoustic and electric instruments is something we really enjoy", says Loeb, "because the sound of the grand piano complements the electric guitar very well.."
Add to this the power of a killer rhythm section and you get the specific individual style of METRO.
"One of our goals with this band was to form a steady working relationship - unlike a lot of "united telephone bands", is how Chuck and Mitch describe the group. "We are a continously working group that keeps growing all the time". The group will be back on the road again in spring of 1996.
