Recorded and mixed at Buckyball Music Studio, New York, NY
Marc Wagnon, engineer
1998
mixed by Matt Hathaway
Mastered by Katherine Miller at Current Sound Studio NY, NY.
Produced by Marc Wagnon
Cover design: Messi & Schmidt
Tunnels "Painted Rock"
The second album of Tunnels prominently features the compositions of vibist Marc Wagnon. Painted Rock also features guitarist Van Manakas, who was a member of the group through this recording. AllAboutJazz says about Painted Rock: "the key ingredient here is the sustained and altogether gratifying entertainment value, featuring loads of impact!"
Reviews quotes:
As a reviewer, some cds you just live for, and this is one of them. Prog masters which crash and spin at a high volume rate, like something you'd expect Terry Bozzio to be involved in.Ben Ohmart Music Dish
Overall this is strong effort with a spirit of excitement and adventure that all too often has been lacking in modern fusion albums.
David Ashcroft “Expose`” Magazine
Their approach is fearless resulting in music with enough energy to give you a lift and to stimulate your mind and soul!
D. Oscar Groomes O's Place Jazz Newsletter
Full Reviews
It's not all about pyrotechnics as it just emanates rather naturally on such pieces as "House of Marc" where bassist nonpareil Percy Jones pursues inventive passages and performs as if the bass were an appendage of his physical being or Frank Katz' massive polyrhythmic attack on "Neuro-Transmitter". On this piece, the band proceed as a hybrid Prog-Metal band with leanings toward Frank Zappa and mainstream jazz via rapid unison lines, ferocious hard-edged guitar leads by Manakas coupled with a blazing swing/free jazz interlude. The musicians are in top improvisational form on the lengthy piece titled, "Bad American Dream 2001" complete with midi-synth effects, traces of jazz, avant-garde motifs supported by Jones' pumping bass lines and Katz' throttling drum work. We must add that "Tunnels" are not a band who convey overbearing or self-absorbing complexities. Many of these pieces are assembled around shapely or organized tempi and meter as they provide ample room for soloing opportunities yet not in a restrictive or austere sense. The band's inviting diversities shine on the acoustic/electric piece "Boyz In The Ud" which features a migration of Western - Middle Eastern - North Indian motifs. Marc Wagnon performs an exhilarating solo on the no nonsense balls to the walls thriller, titled "Lilly's Dolphin" as Frank Katz unleashes his power drumming fury on the adrenaline induced drum solo and closer, "Unity Gain". At this juncture it is time for all parties to take a deep breath and unwind from this roller coaster ride of a journey as we regain our senses and take a stab at reality for a second or two. Painted Rock is an express train with no stops along the way as the music is pure, untainted and gets you to your destination in rapid fashion, yet the key ingredient here is the sustained and altogether gratifying entertainment value, featuring loads of impact! - * Glenn Astarita All About Jazz
A stellar second outing by Percy's post-fusionquartet with vibist Marc Wagnon, guitarist Van Manakas, and drummer Frank Katz. Benefiting from an excellent overall and low-end bass mix - and Katz's natural backbeat - Percy packs a real groove punch, from the angular funk of the tittle track to his hard-swinging walking line on "Bad American Dream 2001." Chris Jisi - Bass Player May issue Right away there is an open, airy, jazzy fusion vibe that dominates this release vibe that dominates this release. Speaking of vibes, Marc Wagnon once again headlines this instrumental quartet playing "midi vibes" and guiding the music. The mellow toned Van Manakas on guitar shares the improvisation with Wagnon as the inventive rhythm section of Frank Katz (drums) and Brand X bass legend Percy Jones explore the grooves. Wagnon must be exploring midi soundscapes with his "midi vibes" as track like "House Of Marc" and Bad American Dream 2001? offer lush synth sounding pads. There is excellent variety on this release from the intense drum driven "Neuro- Transmitter" to the floating "Quai Des Brumes."
The rhythm section of Jones and Katz is very inspirational as they perform with a deeply agressive emotion that carries much of the material. "Neuro-Transmitter" is an epic fusion piece that allows all members to explore their instrument from a sensitive , as well as spastic, point of veiw. "Boys In The Ud" goes on a Middle Eastern journey with the exotic guitar work of Manakas."Bad American Dream 2001" swings hard with Katz providing excellent jazz feel with midi improv from Wagnon. As on Wagnon's "An Afterthought" release, drummer Frank Katz again closes the CD with blazing drum solo displaying very strong technique. Lots of interesting rhythms, melodies,sounds and time feels are what make this release an exceptional instrumental collection that serious fusion lovers will certainly enjoy. This music moves in a fresh, new direction. Mike Haid Fuse magazine.
Tunnels is fusion bassist Percy Jones and ex-Dr. Nerve vibes player Marc Wagnon, along with Drummer Frank Katz and guitarist Van Manakas. Listeners who know the Chick Corea Elektric Band albums, or those turned out by John McLaughlin in his electric mode over the last few years, will find that this disc compares quite favorably. Wagnon has either composed or helped compose much of the music of this album, and, like much fusion, the format is usually to provide a nice combination of groove and chord changes to give the soloist a nice backdrop over which to improvise. All the musicians turn in great performances here, even if there are occasional intonation problems. Wagnon plays "MIDI Vibes," and this allows him to use a lot of sounds that keyboard players use. Thus, one hears by turns vibes, Rhodes piano, strings, synth patches, giving the music a broader timbral range than one might expect otherwise. I came away from this recording especially impressed with the playing of guitarist Van Manakas, whose great melodicism is tasteful and whose speed is stunning. On "Boys in the Ud," Manakas's ud playing triggers a markedly Middle-Eastern jam that, while it is not representative of the style of the band's music as a whole, is a real highlight. John Covach - Progression
Sometimes sounding like "The Lord of the Rings" on a fusion roller-coaster, Tunnels' often delirious songs range from Zappa-esque meter frivolity, to electro-jazz, to atmospheric free funk. Though they occasionaly meander like gypsies on a balloon ride, these are ferocious performers. One-time member of fusion legends Brand X, Frank Katz's powerful chops arsenal and deep funk grooves are a highlight of "Painted Rock". Hot in the mix, Katz's speed-ridden grace notes and dazzling drum combinations are like a boxer in a race with the clock. Drawing on Mike Clark, Tony Williams, and Kenwood Dennard, his technique is explosive. But supported by his diamond-hard groove, Katz is truly something special in an era of progressive drummers long on flash and short on feel. Hard-knuckeld fusion without a hint of acoustic seasoning may not be for everyone's taste, but Tunnels revel in the assault. Ken Micallef - Modern Drummer
Brand X electric bass guitar icon Percy Jones is the biggest name in this colorful quartet, but the least obvious leader. More upfront guitarist Van Manakas with midi vibist Marc Wagnon and drummer Frank Katz comprise Tunnels. There's no synthesizer player credited, so it's evident that either Manakas or more likely Wagnon is triggering various hued electronic washings. The music is definitly early fusion oriented and cleverly conceived for a post-'70s Y2K era. Tunnels depend on funk rhythms for the most part: cool on the title track, the same under serene and interactive multi-melodic musings from the frontmen and Jones on "Quai des Brumes," easy and rockier with choppy vibes and spacy, snarly guitar in the context of "Land of the Hazmats," or heavier and dramatic with way-out to plunky synth incursions and oohing vocals from Sarah Pillow during "House of Marc." They use a hard-edged 5/4 start-stop line with the lead heavy, juggernaut signature sound of Jones most prevalent on "Black Light" while relying on 6/8 lilt to 4/4 merengue funk on the unison vibes/guitar charting of "Lilly's Dolphin." The roiling to quirky, multi-dimensional drum streams of Katz set up the pounding bass, quietly screaming or fleet, stinging guitar and scurrying vibes on "Neuro-Transmitter," and Katz also offers a fresh and funky drum solo on "Unity Gain." The two anomalous selections are the highlights, a near 11-minute jazz like jam/swinger "Bad American Dream 2001" sports chiming bells, wack goofy synths, and an extended thematic progression reminiscent of "In a Silent Way," while the ethnocentric "Boyz in the Ud" (cute title!) has Manakas showcased on a stringed instrument sounding like an oud or saz. There's an Arabic feel to the piece, gong cued in a Middle Eastern workout replete with finger cymbals, hand percussion, and flute synthesizers wafting over the wind of the desert sands. Modern and classic jazz-rock fusion ideals congeal to offer a new music that has a stance standing solidly in both idioms with the powerful, clearly identifiable bass of Jones plopped squarely in the middle. Recommended, especially for devotees. -- Michael G. Nastos AllMusicGuide
Far more layered recording from power jazz outfit Tunnels than their self-titled debut, still showing the same amazing virtuoso interplay and strength of composition, but meanwhile adding a further depth to their music. Although released in the same year as their initial outing, "Painted Rock" immediately displays a more relaxed approach in Marc Wagnon's highly catchy and hummable opening title track, expertly spelt out by bass wizard Percy Jones. We might expect nothing less than to marvel at the huge expressiveness of this great player. Perhaps it's because of his, and Wagnon's skills that their colleagues partly fall by the wayside. Even Frank Katz goes all out on this disk, breaking his straight ahead drumming mold and righting many of the wrongs from the first recording; peaking in his drum-led, other-worldly "neuro-transmitter", that is until his disasterous solo that closes the album, in which he falls straight back into predictable, heavy-handed, unimaginative, snare bombardment - ironic given that the track is called "Improvisation". Van Manakas was also unimaginative on the first recording, vacuous guitar solos journeys that amounted to nothing more than a short spin around the block. If you have the luxury of "jazz space" what's the point in knocking out a 4-bar pop solo? Here he now starts exploring that space more productively and the result is astonishing, especially on Wagnon's "House of Marc". In fact, credit where credit's due; the standout highlight here has got to be Van Manakas & Co.'s short but very sweet arabesque "boyz in the ud" - a punchy, shoulder-rocking, head-spinning, Dervish-whirler that although clearly is never going to sound like an authentic world music, certainly broadens Van Manakas' musical pallete while spelling potential new ground for the group. Also note the introduction of vocals from angel-voiced Sarah Pillow. Go join the musical journey and get this second release from Tunnels. Julian F. Derry
Painted Rock is the latest release from the fusion-jazz-progressive-rock band Tunnels, which features Marc Wagnon on keyboards/MIDI, legendary bassist Percy Jones, talented guitarist Van Manakas, and master drummer Frank Katz. This album is the perfect continuation of their recently released powerful album, "Tunnels with Percy Jones." This engaging band works like a well-oiled machine on the album's title track, "Painted Rock," with a sonic vigor punctuated by the driving drum beat and jazz groove that runs through all ten tracks. Guitar solos, unique effects, and a few hints of hard rock liven things up. Modern jazz, almost improvised, in key tracks like "Land of the Hazmats" and "Neuro-Transmitter" combines with the true progressive rock of songs like "House of Marc," where Percy Jones emphasizes the penetrating sonic atmospheres with his bass. Frank Zappa influences are felt throughout, with both pauses and softer, more enveloping moments. It's not an easy album to listen to, but it will drive fans of the genre wild, thanks to the originality of the sonic approach and the choice of effects and instruments. "Painted Rock" is like an express train racing through intense, well-defined, and illuminated soundscapes. And it packs a powerful punch, abandoning itself to rapid sequences of sounds and emotions. (18/1/02) Nicolò Mulas Kronic.it