November 2000

Chad Wackerman
Scream
Favored Nations

By Tony Green

Drummer Chad Wackerman's Scream (Favored Nations FN2020-2; 52:09), is cut in the mold of the late Tony Williams' later edition of Lifetime. Guitarist James Muller makes the connection explicit with his Allan Holdsworth-drenched lines ("Scream," "The Way Out"), while Wackerman and vibes/keyboardist Daryl Pratt and keyboardist Jim Cox make prodding, but tasteful contributions. Overall the date eschews volume-wedded bombast for more fluorescent statements, as on the flugelhorn-spiced "Holland."