Luftwaffen Forum 1987 02

Because he has spent most of his life living in northern California, guitarist Bruce Forman tends to be underrated, if not completely overlooked, but he has always been an exciting bop-oriented player. This outing with pianist George Cables, bassist Jeff Carney, drummer Eddie Marshall and guest vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson has an excellent assortment of songs (including "All the Things You Are," "Strike Up the Band" and Thelonious Monk's "Little Rootie Tootie"), inventive solos, and an upbeat feel throughout.

Gentlemanly, well-played blues that suffers from covering songs so indelibly linked with their creators (Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy," Freddie King's "It's Too Bad") that the band never develops its own identity. Vocalist/guitarist Ben Wilson acquits himself quite nicely with his fluid, melodic lead playing.

This record doesn't get enough credit. The tunes are great and the playing is tight. Cain's guitar playing is top-notch and will have you shaking your head over and over again. Lizz Fischer's keyboard's are smooth as are the drums and bass. This is a lesser known band and this record is a little hard to come by, but well worth the effort!
The eclectic creativity of Cain’s music owes something to his mixed background. Part Greek, part African-American, he was imbued with a love of the blues by his father who grew up on Beale St. in Memphis. Thus inspired, Cain took up the guitar at the age of eight. Studying at San Jose City College, he developed his precocious talent absorbing different techniques and influences as a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones…