The Tao of Mad Phat (subtitled "Fringe Zones") is an album by saxophonist Steve Coleman and his band Five Elements recorded in 1993 and released on the Novus label.Steve Coleman discography, accessed July 22, 2014
Reception The Allmusic review by Don Snowden awarded the album 4½ stars, stating, "the very organic quality of the music on The Tao of Mad Phat is the true measure of how successfully Coleman and his collaborators have extended the tradition in innovative new directions grounded in modern rhythms".Snowden, D., Allmusic Review accessed July 22, 2014
Track listing All compositions by Steve Coleman except as indicated "The Tao of Mad Phat" – 15:29 "Alt-Shift=Return" – 7:09 "Collective Meditations I (Suite): Changing of the Guard" – 3:56 "Collective Meditations I (Suite): Guards on the Train" – 3:06 "Collective Meditations I (Suite): Relax Your Guard" – 0:36 "Collective Meditations I (Suite): All the Guards There Are" – 2:10 "Collective Meditations I (Suite): Enter the Rhythm (People)" – 4:04 "Incantation" – 3:56 "Laid Back Schematics" – 8:14 "Polymaid Nomads" – 10:36 "Little Girl on Fire" (Bunky Green/Steve Coleman) – 16:32
Personnel Steve Coleman – alto saxophone, acoustic piano (2) Andy Milne – acoustic piano (1, 3–9, 11), keyboards (1, 3–9, 11) David Gilmore – guitars (1–7, 9–11), guitar synthesizer (1–7, 9–11) Reggie Washington – electric bass (1–7, 9) Gene Lake – drums, percussion
Special guests Kenny Davis – acoustic bass (8, 10) Matt Garrison – electric bass (10) Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn – percussion (8, 10) Josh Roseman – trombone (10) Roy Hargrove – trumpet (10)
Production Steve Coleman – producer, mixing Sophia Wong – assistant producer Joe Marciano – recording, mixing Ed Reed – assistant engineer Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY) Jackie Murphy – art direction Sean Smith – design Philip Wong – photography Steve Backer – series director
References