Forth

Probably the most out of form release on High Water, this jazz fusion group is actually the second iteration of Forth. The key member is Bob Salley, a former Navy Band member from New Jersey who was stationed at the base in Millington, Tennessee. Following his retirement, Salley would wind up at Memphis State University, where he would fold into the original Forth. This group was a percussion ensemble first and foremost, featuring Rick Frazier on marimba and vibraphone, with Shof Beavers on Latin percussion and drums, and Woody Wall on a synthesizer that required a Macintosh computer to perform. When Salley joined, he played bass guitar, and often wrote charts for the group.

This group would tour throughout Memphis, but largely disbanded once several members decided to move to Los Angeles in the hopes of cashing in on the technology boom. This left Salley with the group, and soon after he would meet Pete Gloria and Mike McCaroll. The group would begin touring throughout Memphis again, and managed to land a spot recording for High Water Records. The album largely features compositions by Salley, with him performing on both guitar and bass, with several guests appearing as soloists throughout.