CAB: Live at the Baked Potato (2009) 2-CD Set

Recorded inside The Baked Potato, one of the most storied proving grounds in jazz fusion, CAB: Live at the Baked Potato stands as a definitive document of the band’s raw, unfiltered power. Originally released in 2006 and later expanded into a 2-CD set in 2009, the recording captures Bunny Brunel (bass), Tony MacAlpine (guitar), David Hirshfelder (keyboards), and Virgil Donati (drums) operating at full intensity in a setting where proximity fuels performance and every note carries consequence. There is no studio gloss here, no second takes—only instinct, communication, and the electricity of the moment. As All About Jazz observed of live fusion, it “takes on an extra spark and life when played live,” a truth fully realized in CAB’s incendiary performances on this release.

The first disc unfolds with a sense of structure and intention, beginning with “Bass Ackward,” where tight unison lines and rhythmic precision immediately establish the band’s authority. Brunel’s bass anchors the ensemble with clarity and force, setting the stage for the interplay that defines the entire recording. “Temperamental” and “Night Splash” expand the harmonic palette, moving through shifting tonal centers and layered textures that highlight the group’s compositional depth. By the time “Jam and Toast” arrives, the framework begins to open, allowing the musicians to stretch beyond written form and into spontaneous dialogue. “Tony Mac” emerges as a centerpiece, driven by MacAlpine’s fluid, high-velocity phrasing, while the rhythm section responds with equal intensity, creating a dynamic exchange that feels both controlled and unpredictable. The first disc closes with “Hold On,” a groove-centered piece that grounds the set while maintaining the energy built throughout.

The second disc pushes further into expansion and reinterpretation, beginning with an alternate performance of “Tony Mac” that immediately demonstrates CAB’s core philosophy: compositions are not fixed statements, but evolving conversations. What follows is not repetition, but reinvention. The title track “CAB” reinforces the group’s collective identity through sharp ensemble hits and tightly coordinated phrasing, while “One for Stern” channels the harmonic language of modern electric jazz, bridging lyricism with velocity in a way that reflects the band’s deep roots in both jazz and rock traditions. The performance culminates with “Stratus,” the iconic fusion composition by Billy Cobham, reimagined here with explosive intensity. Driven by Virgil Donati’s relentless polyrhythms and anchored by Brunel’s commanding presence, the track serves as both homage and transformation, closing the set with undeniable force.

Across both discs, the complete track listing—“Bass Ackward,” “Temperamental,” “Night Splash,” “Jam and Toast,” “Tony Mac,” “Hold On,” followed by “Tony Mac” (alternate performance), “CAB,” “One for Stern,” and “Stratus”—reveals more than a sequence of performances; it documents a process. The repetition of “Tony Mac” is intentional, offering two distinct improvisational paths that highlight the band’s ability to reshape material in real time. This is where CAB separates itself from many of its contemporaries: the music is not presented as a finished product, but as a living exchange.

Described by All About Jazz as “high-octane… lightning-fast exchanges,” CAB’s sound finds its most authentic expression in this live setting, where composition and improvisation exist as one continuous motion. Within the broader arc of the band’s discography, Live at the Baked Potato stands as a defining statement of their live identity—aggressive, interactive, and unapologetically present. It is fusion in its purest form, captured not in isolation, but in the immediacy of performance, exactly as it was meant to be heard.

During CAB’s peak period, the group operated as a flexible fusion ensemble centered around Bunny Brunel and Tony MacAlpine, with lineups evolving to suit the music. The Live at the Baked Potato recording features Brunel, MacAlpine, David Hirshfelder on keyboards, and Virgil Donati on drums—one of the band’s most powerful live configurations. Hirshfelder was an integral member of this era, adding depth and harmonic color to CAB’s dynamic, improvisation-driven sound. While CAB functions as a collaborative fusion ensemble on stage, the project is ultimately guided by Bunny Brunel’s vision—shaping its direction, its evolving lineup, and its transition into independently released recordings on Brunel Music.

A newly remastered edition of Live at the Baked Potato is currently in progress, with a re-release planned.