Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Having played straightforward hard rock with Mr. Big since the tail end of the '80s, bass virtuoso Billy Sheehan formed Niacin as an outlet for his jazz fusion and prog rock inclinations during the mid-'90s. The trio also featured keyboardist John Novello and drummer Dennis Chambers, both musicians who had crossed frequently between the worlds of jazz and rock during their careers. With Niacin, Novello devoted himself especially to the Hammond B-3 organ, a longtime mainstay of both jazz and prog rock. The band recorded a self-titled debut album in 1996, following it up in 1998 with High Bias. An import-only concert recording, Live!: Blood, Sweat and Beers, surfaced later that year as well. For their next album, Niacin moved from Stretch to Magna Carta, the label that became virtually synonymous with technique-oriented neo-prog rock at the turn of the millennium. Deep was released in 2000 and featured the group's first vocal track, courtesy of special guest Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), as well as Toto guitarist and session ace Steve Lukather.

Steve Huey, Allmusic.com

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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This is the debut recording of the power trio Niacin, comprised of organist John Novello, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Dennis Chambers. The pet project of Sheehan, it is part acid jazz, part progressive rock, and part jazz-rock fusion, all built around Novello's dominating sound. They have obviously learned from some of fusion's previous pitfalls and keep the pyrotechnics to a minimum in deference to strong grooves, patient tension building, and memorable melodies. Chambers in particular exercises restraint and seems content to play "in the pocket," favoring his typically busy (in a good way) style. The session really belongs to Novello, who seems to have appeared from out of nowhere, as did this band, and emerged as a key voice on an underutilized instrument. His sound is steeped in the Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco schools, but he avoids sounding retro or like an imitator. Listeners were hungry for this type of music and were quick to respond to Niacin's soulful fusion. An excellent debut.

Review by Robert Taylor, Allmusic.com

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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The third studio album from this fusion power trio packs a two-fisted wallop and takes no prisoners. Billy Sheehan's bass solos on "Panic Button" and "Sugar Blues" are highlights, but, in truth, much of the record is practically a bass solo. His sound is crushing – not unlike the fat tone Chris Squire used to get in the early days of Yes, but pumped up with even more gain. John Novello wrings astonishing sounds out of the Hammond B-3 organ, and drummer Dennis Chambers gives every track enough rhythmic juice to power a small country. The instrumental cover of Van Halen's "Mean Streets" verges on silly, however. "Things Ain't Like They Used to Be" (not to be confused with the similarly titled Duke Ellington tune) isn't much of a song, and Glenn Hughes' guest vocal is overblown, but guitar ace Steve Lukather contributes tasty licks and a hair-raising solo. Niacin's sound can get a little wearisome after a while, but if muscular, technically adept fusion is your thing, this is your band.

Review by David R. Adler, Allmusic.com

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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With their fifth recording, this 2001 release provides undeniable proof that the hard-driving power organ trio known as Niacin has achieved an artistic milestone. On this outing, Hammond B3 organist John Novello maneuvers his powerful and altogether fluid rhythm section through a series of memorable tunes also featuring a dynamic and unabashed rendition of the legendary King Crimson piece, Red. The trio also renders a blitzing, hard rock cover of keyboardist Jan Hammer's "Blue Wind." However, the musicians' unified approach, consisting of tightly woven fabrics of sound and multicolored themes, bears the mark of a unit who has perhaps reached the pinnacle of group-based success. Strong soloing abounds atop funk/fusion and first-call session ace drummer Dennis Chamber's heavy-handed, polyrhythmic attack. Whereas, the artists also jazz up the proceedings via tightly coordinated unison statements and melodious choruses amid a bevy of twists, turns, peaks, and valleys. Here, progressive rock receives a college education. Recommended.

Review by Glenn Astarita, Allmusic.com

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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The fusion trio Niacin, comprised of keyboardist John Novello, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Dennis Chambers, perform originals (mostly from Novello and Sheehan) plus Frank Zappa's "King Kong." Their playing frequently falls between improvised rock and soul-jazz, with Novello's organ and keyboards leading the dense and crowded ensembles through some avant funk grooves. While it is doubtful that any of the individual originals will catch on, fans of the rock side of fusion will find Niacin's music to be stimulating and fairly original within the genre.

Review by Scott Yanow, Allmusic.com

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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Niacin - Albums Collection 1997-2005 (4CD)

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