"Sorry "dtneal" this is not Hamm's first solo album but his fourth, and easily his best yet.As "Christopher" points out this is much more of a band effort, due to the addition of a duo known as 'Youth Engine' and a hot guitarist named Mark McGee. Although Hamm's bass technique is still kaleidoscopically great, the other musicians enfold it and give it perspective, resulting in one of the sweetest instrumental rock albums I've ever heard.Restraint is a valuable asset for a instrumental god to learn, and this album shows the maturing of a major talent. Two last thoughts: The song he calls "The Tenacity of Genes and Dreams" sounds an awful lot to me like "Levi Stubbs' Tears" by Billy Bragg, and Hamm's solo version of "The Star Spangled Banner" is truly stunning (I never knew how beautiful that tune could be!)"
Stu does it again!
Mark V. | Porter, IN United States | 12/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A technically amazing bass player shows us all that emotion is just as important. If you love his other jazz/rock fusion work, this will be no exception. With the help of Youth Engine, he brings in technology without sounding Techno, and explores some amazing aural-scapes on this CD, by incorporating sounds and feelings of the city into his music. He seems to be looking more inward with his music, telling us how things affect him, not just how he sees them, and by doing so he is really defining who he is as a musician. For the first time on a CD he has truly found his own voice. And what a sweet voice it is!"
A Wonderful Evolution
D. H. Titus | Folsom, CA USA | 05/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have followed Stu's work since he played on a Steve Vai flexi-record that Guitar Player Magazine included with one of their issues (which was in 1988 I believe). Outbound definitely represents a great growth in Stu's musicality and compositional skills. I also think this is the best recorded bass tone he has ever had! The songs are all strong and very inspirational. I highly recommend it!"
Nothing but wowness!
tf5_bassist | Yuba City, CA, USA | 02/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stu Hamm was completely unknown to me for the longest time save for the fact that i knew he was a bassist. Once introduced to him through "Quahogs Anyone", "Terminal Beach", etc etc, i fell in love, and went out to buy whatever I could find from him, and Best Buy happened to have Outbound... Never heard any of the tracks from it, brought it home, and it's now one of the three most rotated CDs i have in my collection.Hamm writes some of the most beautiful songs, focused around the bass, but still complete songs, not just filler behind the rumble. Youth Engine helps bring forth amazing aural landscapes, and Stu's chops are inimitably classic! From the upbeat opening track "Outbound" through the tapfest that is "Tenacity Of Genes And Dreams", the quiet beauty of his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, through the (as mentioned in another review) Jaco-esque "Lydian", this CD is definitely one entire piece of classic work, in my opinion. True, there's not a lot of slap bass for all you Vail fans, but it's different, it's Stu. I love the tapping and multi-part arrangements, and it's a refreshing change from all-slap.Either way, however, Outbound is a must for any bass player or admirer. Beautiful from start to finish, it's more than a worthwhile buy!"
How has his arm not fallen off?!
Andrew | Florida | 12/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is awesome. that about sums it up. Stu shows his insane bass skills which make you wonder how he's kept his right arm intact. He shows his full skill as a bassist in songs like "outbound", a song that made me go "Holy sweet mother of god!" and my jaw drop. and other songs where he just stays laid back and compliments the song with simple yet effective basslines. and of course you cant forget the other instruments, all of which are played amazingly by great musicians. You should definately try this album."