I first learned of Frank Briggs through his Mel Bay instructional book, and was puzzled how this virtuoso drummer wasn't included among the pantheon of great American set players. He is every bit as skilled and versed as legends such as Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl. What he has lacked is a high-profile venue to showcase his art.

His new CD, China Ranch, may very well be that launching pad to notoriety.

The list of drummers who successfully lead jazz projects is a short one, but it's rare to find such a skilled composer and arranger such as Frank. This effort is reminscent of a different era of jazz fusion, when players played music and there was more concern for the art than the commercial viability of the project. Fans of ground-breaking acts such as Weather Report and Allan Holdsworth will find a kindred spirit here, and there is no shortage of players among the guest list; Steve Weingart, Ric Fierabracci, Frank Gambale, Jimmy Earl, and Jeff Babko are just a few of the "who's who" of elite players gathered for China Ranch.

You would expect a drummer to give himself room on his own CD - and there is no doubt a wealth of stretching here to linger over - but the pleasant surprise is the strong quality of composition. The freedom the musicians have never overwhelms the music.

Tracks such as "China Ranch" and "Desert Flower" stand out as excellent cross-over material with a nod towards the past, where ballads such as "Melonie" and "Riverwalk" are welcome retreats to thoughtful melodies.

Like his hero Tony Williams, Briggs leans strongly towards the original jazz-rock idea, and avoids old fusion pitfalls such as out-dated synth sounds and crass funk jams. This is an earnest musician playing earnest fusion. Clearly, Briggs had a broader vision here than to merely blow his own horn - or bang his own drum - and is able to communicate it in an age when jazz fusion sorely needs a return to its roots.

Matt Self is a freelance writer and drummer in Phoenix, Arizona. His articles have been published in over 100 magazines and newspapers. He has been a working musician in Arizona since 1989.

Matt has been an active Drummer Cafe community member since March 2002.