Written on 9 July 2025 - 1200 views
With Protocol, drummer Simon Phillips delivers an instrumental project at the crossroads of jazz, rock, and progressive music. Each album reveals a demanding and vibrant fusion, performed by outstanding musicians. A sonic journey where technique meets musicality.
If you enjoy solid grooves, refined harmonies, and instrumental flights where every note matters, then Simon Phillips’ Protocol project deserves your full attention. Behind this name lies more than a jazz fusion band: it’s the story of a musical quest driven by one of the most respected drummers of his generation.
It all began in 1988. After working with legends like Jeff Beck, Simon Phillips decided to record an instrumental mini-album in his own studio. The record, simply titled Protocol, was released in 1989 and laid the foundation of a musical identity blending rock, jazz, and progressive textures. At that time, it wasn’t yet a band, but rather a sound diary, personal and ambitious.
The project took a live dimension with Force Majeure, recorded with musicians like Anthony Jackson and Ray Russell. Albums like Symbiosis and Another Lifetime followed, enriched by international tours and live recordings like Out of the Blue (1999). Already, Phillips asserted a clear direction: rich compositions, a consistently musical drumming, and a strong taste for rhythmic freedom.
After a few quieter years, Protocol came back strong in 2013 with a new team: Andy Timmons on guitar, Steve Weingart on keyboards, and Ernest Tibbs on bass. Together, they recorded Protocol II, a more mature and dense version of the initial project. The chemistry was instant, leading to two more albums: Protocol III (2015) and Protocol IV (2017), the latter featuring guitarist Greg Howe and keyboardist Dennis Hamm. The sound became sharper, more electric, but always refined. Protocol IV was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 2018.
In 2022, an entirely new team entered the studio:
Together, they recorded Protocol V, a powerful and colorful record where each musician brings their own touch. The album features highly complex pieces like Undeviginti (in 19/16), but also more open tracks, carried by singing melodies. This is the magic of Protocol: combining virtuosity and emotion.
Simon Phillips mainly composes on the keyboard, by singing his ideas before developing them. His approach is rigorous, yet never rigid. Through Protocol, he constantly explores new sonic territories, while maintaining a recognizable signature: precise grooves, sophisticated arrangements, and above all, uncompromising musicality.
Protocol is more than a band: it’s a sonic laboratory where ideas come to life with precision and passion. A must-listen for those who enjoy instrumental music off the beaten path.
Learn more: Protocol
See you soon, here or elsewhere !
Chrys
