Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s rock critics anointed Living Colour as the next big thing and that burden may have been too much for the band. Their debut album “Vivid” is, however, one of the best albums in the hard rock genre. Led by guitarist Vernon Reid the band mixed rock, funk and jazz to produce hits like “Cult of Personality,” “Glamour Boys” and “Open Letter (to a Landlord).”

The slickly recorded album’s songs are backboned by Berklee-educated drummer Will Calhoun, whose advanced technique is often missed by the laymen, but is a focal point for those that love drums and percussion.

Signature Test Track: “Funny Vibe” Most people looking for a signature song from the “Vivid” album would point to “Cult of Personality,” but those wanting to hear detail and resolution pay attention to Calhoun’s playing, which shifts through a number different song parts and his playing transitions from double time in the intro to 4/4 in the verses in where he plays a “disco” type beat that emanates from his hi-hat cymbal.

A more obscure demo track is the cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” found on the “Biscuits” EP. This song features an extensive use of the left and right channels to steer a “burning” sound across the stereo soundfield through the use of a modulation effect called a flanger on Calhoun’s hi-hat.