[music] Simon Phillips, Symbiosis (1995)

Lipstick Records
Total Running Time - 62:22

Personnel
Simon Phillips - Drums; Ray Russell - Guitar; Mitchell Forman - Keyboards;
John Peña, Mike Porcaro, Jimmy Johnson - Bass; Wendell Brooks - Horns; Chris Trujillo, Sheila E. - Percussion

1. Symbiosis
2. You Restless Angel
3. Midair Decision
4. Biplane to Bermuda
5. Isis
6. Out of the Blue
7. Starfish Spaghetti
8. Indian Summer
9. Sea of Sighs


While this album isn't as good as Protocol or Force Majeure, it's still a solid effort. Simon's drumming is as impressive as it's ever been. He has remarked that he wanted to make a more "live" record this time around, and to be quite honest, I liked the heavily programmed material better. This album seems watered down. Maybe it was the move to L.A. That aside, there are some spots on this album that are darned impressive, like the big 6/8 part of "Symbiosis" and the climax sections of "Out of the Blue" and "Indian Summer". Check out the February '96 issue of Modern Drummer for more on Simon. The Toto home page has a huge discography, if you can bear visiting the Toto home page. Simon Phillips has replaced the late Jeff Porcaro in that band, if you were wondering.