I.O.U.(1982)
Musicians: ALLAN HOLDSWORTH-guitar, violin; PAUL WILLIAMS-vocals;
PAUL CARMICHAEL-bass; GARY HUSBAND-drums.
Taken from "THE SEVEN MOST INFLUENTIAL JAZZ-ROCK ALBUMS" - On-line "Jazz/Rock Fusion Page".


I.O.U. was Allan Holdsworth's second album as a leader and was the first album that fully showcased his unique talents as a performer and composer.
Thoughout the album, Holdsworth's fluid, saxophonelike guitar solos wind through harmonically dense chord progressions held together by the tight bass playing of Paul Carmichael and the complex, uninhibited drumming of Gary Husband.



Highlights include the haunting guitar swells in the introduction to "Shallow Sea" and the Coltranesque "sheets of sound" guitar technique on "The Things You See When You Haven't Got Your Gun." Holdsworth's legato soloing technique and unique harmonic sensibility influenced many jazz and rock musicians.



ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - "HARD HAT AREA"
Written by BILL MILKOWSKI, Modern Drummer Magazine, Sept. 1994.


"Holdsworth's uncanny legato approach to guitar can be problematic for pedestrian ears. He flows over the bar so nonchalantly that his music often requires a solid drummer to clearly punctuate where 1 is. Chad Wackerman, who is particularly adept at navigating Holdsworth's tricky unison lines, has provided that crisp backbeat function for Allan on many occasions. But with a more muscular player like Gary Husband laying it down, there is absolutely no doubt as to where the 1 is.
Husband's forceful groove can be readily felt on slamming, turbulent numbers like "Ruhkukah", solidly grounding Holdsworth's saxophonic flights on the six-string. And he plays the tasteful colourist with cymbals behind Skuli Sverrisson's lyrical bass solo on "Low Levels, High Stakes." A well-rounded power player, Husband also swings his butt off Omar Hakim-style on the Weather Report-ish "Postlude." And he unleashes with precision bombast on "Tullio," tossing off crisp fills and accents that kick the music into hyperdrive.
One regret: Too bad Holdsworth didn't turn this Husband monster loose on a drum solo here as he does in concert. Guess we'll have to wait for Gary's solo album for that."



REVIEW BY DAVID DORKIN for FUSE MAGAZINE
GARY HUSBAND : DIARY OF A PLASTIC BOX (FMR CD59-VO898)


"While many may know Gary Husband as the stellar drummer with Allan Holdsworth, Level 42, Steve Topping and Jack Bruce, he is also a unique composer and keyboardist, as evidenced on the disc of originals composed through the years while on the road.
Stylistically, fans of Holdsworth and the ECM school, as well as anyone looking for modern music with challenging and unusual harmonies (and rhythms) will be delighted and surprised by the maturity and depth of Gary's work here on these 22 short pieces. Recommended."



GARY HUSBAND - "INTERPLAY AND IMPROVISATION ON THE DRUMS" (VIDEO)
(Rittor Music)
(Drums UK, England)


"Gary Husband's video "Interplay and Improvisation" is not like the majority of videos on the market. Gary has set out to do the video in his own way.
Recorded in two afternoon sessions, the video features Gary playing and improvising with some amazing individuals of the music business. Jack Bruce, Allan Holdsworth (in a reunion of the original "IOU" band), Mark King and Gary Moore to name just four. The other players are equally at home on their respective instruments, with Gary showing the diversity of his repertoire.
His playing on the video covers Rock and Blues with Moore and Bruce, and Funky Pop with Mark King. But Mr. Husband's small kit Jazz playing is where I really see him in full flow.
Gary is articulate when required to speak and he has important things to say. Fans of Gary's playing will rush out and buy this video of course, but also those of you who want to know how to play with other instrumentalists in a musical and feeling way should also check this out.
For further details see your local video stockist."



GARY HUSBAND - "INTERPLAY AND IMPROVISATION ON THE DRUMS" Video.
Rittor Music. Review - Modern Drummer Magazine, U.S.


"Though focusing more on performance than instruction, this well-constructed overview of Gary Husband's approach to several different styles of drumming carries great educational value. Seen here on both large and small setups, Husband is found here utilising both left and right-hand lead ride playing.
He's surrounded by several of the heavy "sidemen" he's worked with in the past: Allan Holdsworth participates in an excellent freeform duet with the drummer, Level 42 bassist Mark King nudges Husband along some killer funk grooves, and Gary Moore and Jack Bruce provide an authentic rock backdrop for Gary to display his solid, Ginger Baker-influenced British-rock roots.
Despite an aggravating lack of foot close-ups, the camera work is generally good, and wisely keeps things moving by focusing on the other musicians as well. Throughout, Gary shows a deep passion for the music and expresses himself in a very musical fashion, regardless of the style.
His influences might be obvious, but so is his talent and love for drumming, and that's what makes this video so enjoyable to watch."



GARY HUSBAND - "INTERPLAY AND IMPROVISATION ON THE DRUMS" Video.
Rittor Music. Review in DRUM! Magazine, U.S.


"Gary Husband may not be a household name among all drummers, but those in the know are aware of his wonderful chops and musicality. His new video is certainly enough evidence to convince the uninitiated that this guy is world-class! Husband is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, and the performance footage contained in this video shows him at home in a wide array of musical settings, from fusion to rock to jazz.
All but ten minutes of this 64-minute video finds Husband in group situations. This assortment of diverse performance footage includes a cavalcade of his musical cohorts, such as Mark King (Level 42), Jack Bruce (Cream), Paul Carmichael and guitar players Allan Holdsworth, Gary Moore and Steve Topping, among others. Husband plays at 110% all the time! His intensity never wavers in any of the many taping sessions it obviously took to put this tape together. That's a point worth noting. It seems that most, but not all, drum videos contain a day's worth of video shooting sprinkled with interview clips.
While Husband's video does have many short interview clips (mostly of the other musicians singing Husband's praises), it is apparent that it took a lot of time and organisation to shoot all the different footage this video contains. In some of the performance footage Husband plays a huge drum set with seven toms, two bass drums, two snares and a gob of cymbals. Other situations show him on a four-piece bebop kit with two cymbals. These extreme ends of the drum set spectrum work their way into trio, quartet and duet performances.
It's a joy to watch a great drummer and the art of creation as these musicians spontaneously compose together as well as play some challenging Husband charts. Gary has a ton of chops that seem to be influenced by Billy Cobham, Tony Williams amongst others, and he exhibits wonderful ambidexterity. He spends most of his time using right-hand ride patterns but easily moves to a left-hand ride, looking at home and sounding great in either setting. His solos are chop-laden, but definitely not for chops' sake. His phrasing and melodic sense are ever-present, whether soloing in free time, odd time or 4/4. He also looks equally at home playing with matched or traditional grips.
In the ten minutes that don't feature group performances, Husband unveils some grooves he's composed from recordings he's made. He doesn't break down the beats, but he slows them down to help the viewer figure them out. These grooves and the performance footage are not really "how to" presentations, but they should inspire any drummer to try and achieve great interplay and improvisation on the drum set. That's a noble mission in my book, and Gary Husband is up to the task."



STEVE TOPPING - "TIME AND DISTANCE"
(Black Box Records, Catalogue Number BBJ1003)
(Jazzwise Magazine)


"Whoah! Just when the late-90's smooth jazz agenda looked set to smother any hope of a home-grown re-evaluation of jazz-rock's core, spirit and sonic thrust, out slips this self-funded corker from guitarist Steve Topping. Drawing on the sound and scope of the mighty trinity, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin and Allan Holdsworth, Topping has evolved a stimulating fresh voice.
Angular and biting hard on the one hand, as the rousing opener "Adrenalin" and a torrid interpretation of Mclaughlin's "The Life Divine" amply illustrate, yet deeply reflective and evocative on the other, with more than a hint of Bill Connors' largely unsung use of dynamics and space. Cut with the top drawer support from fellow UK innovators Gary Husband on drums and Wurlitzer piano, and bassist Paul Carmichael, this minor masterpiece deserves major consideration.
To quote Mr. Holdsworth: 'This CD is truly a breath of fresh air'. Couldn't agree more."





ANTHONY HINDSON AND FRIENDS - "IT'S A CURIOUS LIFE"
(Wind In Hare Music)
Gary Husband and Tony Williams - Drums, Zakir Hussain - Tabla,
Vikku Vinayakram - Ghatam.
(Modern Drummer, February 2000)


"This record is an inspiration and a lesson in musical cross-pollination. Hindson plays thirteen-string guitar over a fascinating blend of progressive rock and Indian classical music that is filled with many percussive pleasures.
Hindson met and befriended the likes of Zakir Hussian, Shankar, and the late Tony Williams while studying at the Ali Akbar Khan School of Music in California.
They all contribute to "It's A Curious Life", particularly Hussain. It's Zakir who keeps the groove steady on "Sunjog Variation" as Tony inhales, subdivides, and conquers the rock groove.
And Gary Husband has the feeling, time, and cranium to beautifully smooth out Hussian and Vinayakram's challenging odd times."



Review by Robert Spencer, CADENCE Magazine, N.Y. USA
NEW GARY HUSBAND TRIO - FROM THE HEART


Gary Husband, major-domo of this extravaganza, is a consummate improviser, and his "new" trio is filled out with players who are as smoothly accomplished as he is - particularly bassist Mick Hutton.

Much of this massive two-disc set is full of shimmering piano Jazz highlighted by Husband's non-flashy but intricately wrought and highly original improvisations. He often takes advantage of opportunities to venture into unusual melodic possibilities and explore motifs for all their worth, and such opportunities are provided in ample numbers by the solid foundation Hutton and Calderazzo lay down.

There are a few surprises, as well. The Husband original entitled "Miles Davis" recalls the trumpeters mid 80's work with Palle Mikkelborg, replete with synthesized sonic melodramatics that are a pleasant detour here. Of the parade of special guests, this trio is so solid that none really find a great deal to add, but all of them are pleasant enough, especially the boffo Georgie Fame, whose low-key vocals on "Deep In A Dream" are utterly at home here. Husband's group is never bombastic: even numbers like "Afro Blue", which John Coltrane, Sam Newsome, and others have rendered with terrific force, find a generally relaxed groove here, revealing the beauty of the melody with a pleasingly crepuscular sheen.

This is the sort of revelation that Husband glories in, and pulls off magnificently.



Review by Greg Fisher,
BILLY COBHAM "Focused"
Eagle Records D13964 Duration : 72'36" RRP: $30


Drum master Billy Cobham emerged in the early 70s as a driving force in the innovative "Mahavishnu Orchestra". After 3 highly praised recordings and a succession of concerts he began to record the first of many recordings under his own name. These featured not only his excellent drum technique, but also his own compositions. "Spectrum" (1973), recorded with his Orchestra partner, Jan Hammer on keyboards and the late guitarist Tommy Bolin, displayed his high energy approach to fusion music. What the recording may have lacked in finesse was soon made up for with great playing and enthusiasm from all assembled. In the intervening years has Cobham continued recording in this manner with different lineups and varying degrees of success.

Roll on to the late 90s and Billy has assembled a working band from all parts of the globe for his latest recording project, "Focused". Randy Brecker, trumpet, Gary Husband (who is also a fine drummer), keyboards , Carl Orr (who now resides in Sydney), guitar, Stefan Rademacher, bass join Billy Cobham for 4 of his originals plus an original from each of the members. Recorded in March 1998 at Wembley in England, "Focused" reveals Cobham's growth as a composer, drummer, musician and leader.

The CD begins with a funky composition by Cobham called 'Mirage'. 'The Sleaze Factor', a slower, more insidious funk tune which features some electronically enhanced trumpet from its composer, Randy Brecker, follows. The more acoustic 'Walking in 5' is a more relaxed tune for the ensemble to explore. 'How Was The Night?' by bassist Rademacher is a very in the pocket groove. 'Three Will Get You Four' is propelled by Cobham's insistent drums as the tune, rhythm and band move effortlessly between triple and duple time. Carl Orr's reflective tune 'Nothing Can Hurt Her Now' features some nice acoustic piano from Husband as he accompanies Brecker in a sensitive reading of the melody. Carl's excellent acoustic guitar solo on this tune is one of the highlights of the recording. Cobham' s final offering 'Disfigured Mirrors' is an interesting tune in an unusual time signature. 'Avatar' by Husband with its shades of 'Mahavishnu' arpeggiated sections and decidedly electronic approach brings the CD to an exciting close.

A fine recording by a band that has obviously worked together and also an excellent document of Cobham's recent "Focused" Australian tour. More information on Cobham and his recordings can be found on the internet at www.billycobham.com. Available at all good CD stores.


Jim Mullen Quartet - "Burns" - by Ian Carr, BBC Music Magazine, Jan. 2001
Black Box Records Cat No. BBJ2016

Jim Mullen is a master guitarist who is constantly honing his art and craft. This risky venture, that goes back to his Scottish roots by creating jazz versions of the songs of Robert Burns, has been so triumphantly achieved that "Burns" has the unity of a suite. Mullen points out that Burns had an ear for a good melody and chose some of the great tunes of his time to fit his words.
The melodies are given enhanced life by the richer modern harmonies Mullen has introduced, and his quartet, which is a working unit not a pick up group, is integral to the project. Pianist Gareth Williams and Mick Hutton are among the most gifted of the younger generation, Gary Husband is already a leading drummer and pianist, and their passion for the project seems to match their leader's. Mullen coaxes a singing sound from the guitar, making the melodies glow. The accompaniment is also exquisitely done, and the solos sparkle. "Banks and Braes", "Comin' Through the Rye" and several less familiar tunes are lovingly remade.

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