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Ed Palermo: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages

By Jack Bowers
May 21, 2025
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Ed Palermo: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages

Well, if it walks like a big band and talks like a big band...chances are it's a big band, even though, in the case of

Ed Palermo

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Palermo's New York-based 18-piece ensemble, it neither walks nor talks much like any other big band on planet earth. On Prog Vs. Fusion, Palermo casts aside many established harmonic principles in favor of fomenting and supervising a colossal struggle between the powerful forces of progressive rock and fusion.

In doing so, he unravels and redesigns the music of such diverse entities as

John McLaughlin

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">John McLaughlin {with and without the

Mahavishnu Orchestra

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Mahavishnu Orchestra),

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan; Emerson, Lake and Palmer;

Tony Williams

drums
1945 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Williams;

Frank Zappa

guitar, electric
1940 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Zappa;

King Crimson

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">King Crimson;

Yes

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Yes;

Allan Holdsworth

guitar, electric
1948 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Allan Holdsworth; Soundgarden,

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea and

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter. It is an adventurous and varied menu, at times grungy, at others quirky, and one that for many a listener will no doubt be an acquired taste.

This is high-energy music, driven for the most part by brass and rhythm (especially drums) with seldom any pause between the various numbers, making the whole sound much like a suite whose distinctive parts are interconnected yet dissimilar. The woodwinds also play a pivotal role, using the lower register to lend the enterprise diversity and weight. There are 19 themes in all, the longest of which—King Crimson's elaborate "Pictures of a City," clocking in at 6:34—closes the album.

While there is some improvisation, it's clear that this not the fuel that keeps this engine running on all cylinders. Tenor saxophonist

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Kono solos on "Long Distance Runaround" and "Mystic Knights of the Sea," soprano saxophonist

Phil Chester

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Chester on "Take a Pebble" and "There's No Mystery About My G-Spot," violinist

Katie Jacoby

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Katie Jacoby on "Snake Oil" and "One Word," pianist

Bob Quaranta

piano
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Quaranta on "The Fish."

Bruce McDaniel

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruce McDaniel adds his voice to the opening "Resolution" and "Pictures of a City," and again (with guest

Mike Keneally

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Keneally) on Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun." Sturdy impressions matched stride for stride by drummer

Ray Marchica

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Marchica and the hardworking rhythm section.

Rating Prog Vs. Fusion is awkward, to say the least, as the music has never before been heard, let alone appraised, by this reviewer's ears. Apparently, Palermo and his band are wholly on board, escorting the muse wherever it leads them. Whether others enjoy the ride is a matter of personal taste and musical experience. While the album landed here with a whimper, not a bang, those who are closely aligned with prog and fusion may find it far more pleasurable and exciting—which is another way of conceding that this basically uninformed opinion hardly represents the last word as regards Prog Vs. Fusion. Listen carefully and make up your own mind.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Resolution; Black Hole Sun/Bodhisattva; There Comes A Time; Tarkus; Vrooom; Long Distance Runaround; Snake Oil; There's No Mystery About My G-Spot; Spanish G-Spot Tornado; Mystic Knights Of The Sea; On The Milky Way Express; Take A Pebble; One Word; The Fish; Fred; Black Hole Sun; Pictures Of A City.

Personnel

Ed Palermo

saxophone

Cliff Lyons

saxophone, alto

Phil Chester

woodwinds

Bill Straub

woodwinds

Ben Kono

saxophone, tenor

Barbara Cifelli

woodwinds

Ronnie Buttacavoli

trumpet

John Bailey

trumpet

Augie Haas

trumpet

Bobby Spellman

trumpet

Charley Gordon

trombone

Mike Boschen

trombone

Matt Ingman

trombone, bass

Bruce McDaniel

guitar

Bob Quaranta

piano

Ted Kooshian

piano

Paul Adamy

bass

Ray Marchica

drums

Mike Keneally

guitar

Katie Jacoby

violin

Album information

Title: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Sky Cat Records

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