M.C.M. - 1900 - Hard Times

It's supergroup time again, and this time we are treated to M.C.M., the collaboration between guitarist Alex Masi, bassist Randy Coven and John Macaluso behind the kit, and with their album 1900-Hard Times, we are treated to a live album recorded at various shows from both the United States and Cental America, the goal to give listeners an insight into what M.C.M. are as a live band.That said, it should be noted early on that this album is completely instrumental, and mostly improvised. Alex Masi stated that the album was "80% .. improvisation", and that makes this album interesting if nothing else. There is of course no denying the quality of the players involved, they're all household names, Macaluso having played with both Malmsteen and TNT among others, Masi having worked with Jeff Scott Soto and Frankie Banali, and finally Coven who has appeared with Steve Vai as well as Malmsteen himself.

That's some seriously talented musicians right there.

For the fan, this is pure gold, for those that like improvisation, you need this album, and for those that like experimental music, this certainly qualifies right there too. However, for those that like construct, then obviously his is not for you. It works for the most part, but whether you would want to listen to it more than once, well that is a good question, and one which I am not qualified to answer for you.

For me when it comes to supergroups, this just doesn't stack up well against Bernie Torme, John McCoy and Robin Guy with their project G.M.T.

Lineup:

Alex Masi - Guitars
Randy Coven - Bass
John Macaluso - Drums