Starting the mid-'90s, the Baked Potato became one of the few spots where you could hear top L.A. players blowing fusion hot and heavy on a nightly basis. Culled from a series of 1999 performances at the new Baked Potato, now situated near the legendary Hollywood intersection of Sunset and Vine, this CD features train wrecks, warts, and inspired moments under the direction of guitarist Jeff Richman. It's definitely a mixed bag, but there is enough energy and deft soloing here to cause an earthquake. Since much of the action revolves around the drummers (and their ability to make these jams gel), what better way than to start off with a magnificent performance by Vinnie Colaiuta on Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street." Richman, saxophonist Steve Tavaglione, and bassist Abe Laboriel are no slouches, but the anticipation of Colaiuta's solo is palpable, and he doesn't disappoint, exploding with a rush of bass drum/tom flurries and whirling-dervish snare and cymbal stickings. A few Richman originals follow and are pleasant enough, executed by bassist Jimmy Haslip, drummers Chad Wackerman and Ralph Humphreys, pianist Russell Ferrante, and saxophonist Brandon Fields. But then Marcus Miller's "Splatch" fires it up with a 16th-note groove from drummer Dave Weckl and Richman's soaring fretwork. If you can't make it to L.A., and the sleazy Sunset Strip home of the Baked Potato, this is the next best thing to being there. --Ken Micallef
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