THE ROAD OF ROCK is a rocky road, and no one's life exemplifies that more thoroughly than that of Derek Albion Smalls who celebrates his 75th birthday with a hoped-to-be triumphant return to at least one of the echelons of the rock firmament. Derek went on to acquire the coveted position of bass player in the legendary rock band "Spinal Tap", from the 1984 Rockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap" Smalls makes hi return to the music world with this new record- ing. Guest artists on the album include Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers) Gregg Bissonette, Larry Carlton, David Crosby, Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) Taylor Hawkins, Jim Keltner, Danny (Kootch) Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, Michael League (Snarky Puppy), Jane Lynch (actress/singer), Steve Lukather (Toto), Judith Owen Snarky Puppy Horns Joe Satriani, Paul Shaffer (David Letterman, SNL, etc.) Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Richard Thompson, Steve Vai, Waddy Wachtel, Rick Wakeman (Yes) Phil X Dweezil Zappa.