Alex Skolnick Trio - Transformation

Transformation, was The Alex Skolnick Trio’s second release. The follow up to Goodbye to romance saw the band maintaining their addictively smooth sound following the visionary ideas of their leader Alex Skolnick. The band grew on the idea of taking rock and metal standards and turning them into jazz masterpieces. The band’s original bassist John Davis left the band and was replaced by an equally able counterpart Nathan Peck.

Transformation is comprised of beautiful and seemingly unforced music, which is very soothing to the ear, yet at the same time provides something for those looking out for the technical finesse. A comprehensive mix of both original and cover tunes the band have maintained an easy going early jazz feel to most of the album, with hints of jazz-rock here and there.

The original title track opens up the album and seems to encompass the summation of the album in that one song. The song displays Alex’s finally balanced jazz learning as he goes from one style of jazz to another. Included in the song are violins and vocals, which would differentiate it from any of the other songs on the album.

The cover and original tracks are arranged in a random manner, which make them not easily distinguishable at first hearing, especially on renditions such as Judas Priest’s Electric Eye and Scorpion’s Black Out. Both the tracks bear only hints of the respective songs, and revolve around the main riff rather than following the songs in their majority. The band have taken Electric Eye and gift wrapped the song in a very unusual timing. The different timing adds a very upbeat fun feel to the song and one could really say they have given the song a jazzy face-lift.

Money by Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic songs in the history of rock music. For the lovers of the original track the trio’s version of the gem is just unbelievable. It was hard to fathom that someone could take this song and put together something better than what Floyd had created. But, the trio’s interpretation of the bassy track is even more catchy that the original. Another fine take of a classic could be found on Highway Star, which has been transformed from being a fiery rock and roller to being a smooth sailing jazz number.

The band has covered songs which are quite famous so on hearing them they are bound to be the ones which most definitely would stick in the listeners head, but one should not overlook the bands delicate originals. Fear of flying and Both feet in are bluesyfied harmonious tracks which show how far behind Alex has left his head banging days. Scorch is another original track which involves more participation of the rest of the band. Included in the track are some great bass lines along with some trademark Billy Cobham style drumming.

An excellent example of the point made earlier about the originals and covers melting in each other, can be best found on the track Imv/Trooper, a combination of two songs. A Skolnick original mixed with the Iron Maiden classic. Alex uses the haulting opening riff of the Maiden track here and there to add a unique dimension to the song. It would be fair to say that the song would be an original first than it would be called a cover song.

Dio’s original track Don’t talk to strangers was one of the greatest and most beloved tracks in metal history. Along with Money the track is one of the most easily pickable tracks as the band has maintain the sweet melodies of the original. When one listens to the song and compares it to the original simultaneously one realizes how masterfully the track has been taken from being a metal classic to becoming a beautiful instrumental piece with elements of jazz and flamenco music.

Although Transportation would on the surface appear largely as a cover album it’s quite obvious from the on set that the album is entirely the Alex Skolnick Trio. One should really congratulate Skolnick for creating a fine heap of work; taking an idea and building on it and pushing it to another level of accomplishment. After conquering the metal auditorium, Skolnick has really come of age, graduating to another level of playing and being able to play a completely different set of music requiring the mastery of an ocean of knowledge. A must have for lovers of jazz and heavy music alike.