Reviews
Jazz Times May '02

"User-friendly fusion might be an apt description for the sly, technically breathtaking work of the quartet Synergy. The band's Barcodes (Synergy SYN 001-1; 51:47) showcases off-balance, tricky rhythms to keep listeners guessing on tunes like the hard-hitting but pretty "Perspective," while keeping the exploratory atmospheres heartfelt and accessible. Where heavy textures guide edgy pieces like "Emulator" and the needling guitar-driven "Prowl," a blues/rock feel twists through the intricate "You Know." The band's sound often keys on the fine guitar work of Mike Brannon, who, with a knowing nod to the work of Mike Stern, infuses the rock-resonant "Double Standards" with a jazzy elegance. Brannon's work, with a warbling underwater effect, also propels the light club swing of "Tripod." Throughout, an able, double-bass rhythm section-Dave Foster plays electric and Greg Norris acoustic-keeps those fusion rhythms thumping, setting the stage for spirited, innovative melody work. King Crimson's Trey Gunn and part-time Flecktone Jeff Coffin make appearances here as well.


- - Hilarie Grey

JazzNow

Synergy is a strong, groove-oriented collective, and one would be hard pressed to find fault with the sense of rhythm and pulse demonstrated here. However, it is when the perceived influences from fusion and electronics are sublimated in favor of a less dense harmonic approach that the strongest performances emerge. The expansive concert D Lydian tonal center that forms the basis of "Tripod" yields some of the most adventurous and inspired moments in the session. When Kuper's powerful, surging polyrhythms emerge, this group is stunning: this is a percussionist who knows how to bring out the best in his soloists. If the stated purpose of the session is breaking away from unwritten rules players have to follow, then its mission accomplished here.


- - James D. Armstrong, Jr.

Jazzsteps - "Four Stars"

All About Jazz Magazine

"I'm giving "Bar Codes" its fourth spin right now, and I enjoy it more each time. Man, this is a really great disc! One of the things I tend to dislike about fusion is that so much of it is about chops instead of musical content. You guys certainly have the technical and musical know-how that the style requires, but you temper it with a cool tasteful-ness that's missing in a lot of the fusion market today. I get so sick of 32nd notes and Eastern scales I could yak; it's nice to hear a really good band that cares about both the music and the listeners instead of their own egos. Bravo!"


- - Todd S. Jenkins, Jazz Editor


Jazz Review

"The term "contemporary jazz" has been mistreated in recent years, due mainly to the lack of new quality artists delivering the goods, and partially due to the industry carelessly lending the term as an identifier to everything from acid jazz to the often dreaded "smooth jazz" genres.

Fortunately for us, the group reminds us that there is an art form in which jazz can expand beyond the mundane and take on powerful, almost uncharacteristic energy borrowed from rock, world and even electronic elements while maintaining the integrity that has defined the genre. Part jazz part fusion, part electronic, Synergy is not just a name, it's a philosophy that these guys have nailed down that is apparent like lightning through this whole CD.

The players that make up this outfit are all accomplished and super-savvy, some notable guests on the CD include: Trey Gunn (King Crimson), saxman Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck), guitarist Mike Brannon (has performed with members of the groups of Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, McCoy Tyner, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, to name a few); pianist Dave Eskridge (arranger: Tower Of Power horns)...while credentials aren't everything, the experience and intelligence is apparent here in more ways than one.


Prowl, the opening track on the self-released Barcodes CD, sets a great stage for the album to unfold upon, boasting a groove that grabs your attention from bar one. The crux of their style is that subtlety meets virtuosity, and rather than being bombarded with offensive "blowing" over a rhythm track, ideas are interwoven into textures that can be consumed by the consumer and the virtuoso alike.


Tracks 3 and 4 (Tripod & Double standard) feature guitarist/writer Brannon, and take on a great quality that will remind listeners of the some of the group's self-proclaimed influences such as Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and others. Brannon handles lines and textures with that same silent fire that lights up this whole CD.


Mellower cuts such as Change Of Plans (track 6), are worlds apart from tracks like "Habit" (an up-tempo pusher that closes the CD), and show the tremendous range of this group; the tremendous range that we should be lucky enough to hear from more contemporary jazz outfits.


In a sentence, Barcodes is smart and savvy, atmospheric yet powerful, and takes the fusion, jazz or rock listener on a great ride that they'll want to revisit again. Highly recommended."


- - Fred Gerantab


The Current

"Sophisticated... eclectic... combines East coast cool with South Texas hot... truly an act worth your attention."


All Music Guide - www.allmusic.com - "Four Stars"