This is music for people who find peace in complexity. CAB operates at the intersection of heavy rock energy and sophisticated jazz harmony, where every instrument is played at the absolute limit of human capability. The sound is dominated by thick, punchy bass lines, lightning-fast guitar runs, and drums that seem to defy the laws of physics. It doesn't just sit in the background; it demands your full attention as it weaves through intricate time signatures and explosive solos.
What sets CAB apart is the 'supergroup' chemistry. Unlike many solo-driven fusion projects, this feels like a high-stakes conversation between equals. You can hear the mutual respect in the way Tony MacAlpine's neoclassical guitar phrasing dances around Bunny Brunel's melodic bass work, all while Dennis Chambers or Virgil Donati provides a rhythmic foundation that is both rock-solid and wildly unpredictable. It is muscular, intellectual, and unapologetically technical.
Start with their Grammy-nominated 'CAB 2' to hear the band at their most cohesive. It captures the raw energy of a live session with the crystalline clarity of a top-tier studio production. It’s the perfect entry point for anyone who loves the technicality of progressive metal but wants the improvisational freedom of jazz.
CAB is an American jazz fusion supergroup founded by Bunny Brunel, Dennis Chambers, and Tony MacAlpine. Since their formation in 2000, they have released four studio albums and two live albums. Their second album, CAB 2, received a nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the 2002 Grammy Awards. Other members who have been a part of CAB include Patrice Rushen, Virgil Donati, David Hirschfelder, and Brian Auger. When asked about the band's name, Brunel said: ...Center Tone Records wanted me to record an album with Dennis Chambers and Tony MacAlpine. [I thought I’d create an acronym of our last names] Chambers, Alpine, and Brunel. I didn’t know that MacAlpine was an ‘M’ and not separate from the ‘A.’ But we thought it was a good way to carry the music... CAB, so we left it like that.
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