Who said fusion was dead? With
Thonk,
Michael Manring has managed to create an exciting, humorous, and technically amazing body of work. His quirky approach to the bass and hyperbass have a style and sound that is truly unique and can be heard throughout the many different journeys the listener is taken on. "Big Fungus" is a romping number that finds
Manring sounding like a fusion guitar player on the hyperbass. Former
Primus drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander proves to be a perfect partner for
Manring by adding his own complexities and individual style to the mix.
Alex Skolnick,
Steve Morse, and
Steve Smith also lend excellent support. "Monkey Businessman" is a breathtaking solo performed on the hyperbass, which makes a case for calling
Manring the
Tuck Andress of the bass. However, it is not just the Manring's playing (which would have been enough) and his stellar sidemen that separate this session from its colleagues; rather, it is his fresh approach to composition. This is a brilliant recording by a brilliant musician and should be documented as one of the most important fusion recordings of the '90s. ~ Robert Taylor