On this cd, Phil Collins goes back to his roots as a jazz drummer. While a few Phil fans may be disappointed that there are no vocals, or that the standards don't sound quite like the originals, I doubt that was Phil's point, to put out another cd of hits. Here he branches out, playing tunes by Miles Davis and Phil's saxophonist Gerald Albright. This is definitely a cd to be enjoyed for the pure talent of the musicians. As a jazz musician and composer myself, I think the arrangements were downplayed a little, so the non-jazz familiar audience would enjoy them more, but the excitement and talent of the players more than makes up for it. The solo horns on the Phil standards to me sound as expressive as any voice could be--who needs words for everything when horns can say the same thing? But a very well done cd, excellent musicians, and Phil gets to show off in the genre he started out in. Not every drummer can bridge the gap between pop and jazz, especially big band jazz, so easily. Three cheers for Phil and his most excellent big band, which can be enjoyed equally by jazz and pop fans alike.

...Gene Krupa. Other reviewers have touched on the specific numbers collectively better than I could, so I'll just deal with Phil The Drummer here. I know friends who have always dissed the way Collins has used all four of his toms in a way that walks all over the backbeat as defined by his snare. I used to say; "Well, that's 'cause he's more of a jazz man than a rock drummer", but I went no further than that. Rock has always been backbeat-centered, so a drummer like Collins is always going to leave the rock listener a bit cold. But it wasn't until I bought this disc that I realized that the slam-boom beat of "I Don't Care Anymore" has always been more derivative of Gene Krupa (specifically "Sing, Sing, Sing") than any rock drummer. Not even the use of horns in songs like "It Don't Matter To Me" and Genesis' "Paperlate" tipped me off to the fact that this man should have done a big band album years ago. I'm not saying that he should abandon pop entirely, but the switch of Brian Setzer to swing, the fact that Lyle Lovett's Large Band has a solid following, and the fact that Chuck Mangione's brother Gap has converted from small ensemble to big band--all of this at least suggests that (at least at the moment) there's an appetite for the sound.

This CD rocks. No vocals at all, just good, solid big band music. The fun thing--and the thing that separates this from any other big band CD--is that it's CONTEMPORARY big band. Sort of a cross between swing, contemporary jazz, and a little lite FM, it's something that can't easily be described, you just have to hear it.

Many of these are tunes either written or performed by Collins as a vocalist, but arranged for big band. (And might I add that the arrangements are incredible!) But there is a Miles Davis piece ("Milestones") and one or two by alto saxophonist Gerald Albright, the lead sax, who is probably responsible for much of the contemporary jazz sound. Albright easily steals the show, putting in solo after amazing solo, most notably a slick, hip-hopping turn on "Sussudio," a sparkling romantic lead on "Against All Odds," and as the bopping lead in the spicy, percolating mambo "Chips & Salsa." Written by Albright and originally on his 'Giving Myself to You' CD, this is one of the best songs; the beat gets under your skin and makes you move whether you feel like it or not!

Other great numbers include wonderfully Sinatra-esque arrangements of Phil's "That's All" and "I Don't Care Anymore," the sly, slinky "Invisible Touch," and a wild twelve-minute-plus tour-de-force of the Average White Band's "Picking Up the Pieces." And even though there's only ten songs, there's no shortage of music--all the tracks play rather long, the shortest being just under five minutes.

Phil really achieved his goal of showing just how good a jazz drummer he is, providing solid foundations for everyone to build on. He also accomplished making this into a CD that you can't stop playing. Perfect for a fun get-together or driving on a summer night with the windows down, even non-jazz fans will love this.

They snuck this all instrumental cd out with very little promotion , and no wonder ; 1. It's jazz and (omigod!) 2. it has no vocals at all , a death knell for commercial success. Phil Collins proves that he's one hell of a "chops" drummer on this ; the "charts" rank with some of the best big-band jazz I've ever heard , and Phil pops every break and accent right on the money. Every true musician tries his hand at a jazz set , (I know, I've done mine !) and Phil Collins should be proud of this ! It smokes ! Bob Welch (ex-Fleetwood Mac etc)

The arrangements are awesome, the band powerful. Wonderful treatments of many of Phil Collins' best hits. The driving funk groove behind Gerald Albright's solo on track 1 is reason enough to get this CD. I hope another one is in the works!