Derek's comments:

At the time that I was getting ready to start making "Inertia" I was in between record deals. I was unhappy being signed with Magna Carta, and Mike Varney kindly let me out of my deal even though I owed Magna Carta one more release.

I contacted Simon Phillips (my favorite drummer) and asked if he would be into playing on my new CD, and he accepted.

Our first jam session was at his house/studio (Coy Sound Studios) in September 2000. The first idea that I showed him was the genesis idea for the song "Inertia." At first, I had the verse groove in 13/8. Simon suggested that it would groove more if we put it in 6/4, which he was right.

Simon then wrote the verse melody, and immediately I started to get the sense that I was getting more than I bargained for- Simon ended up Co-Producing, and Co-Writing 4 tracks for "Inertia."

Eventually, Simon brought Steve Lukather into the picture. It was very surreal for me to look in Simon's control room, and see Luke and Simon, working on MY album!!! HOLY SHIT!!!

Luke ended up playing on 8 tracks. I went to Japan on a promo tour for "Inertia" after the CD was released. Luke was there playing gigs at the Blue Note with Larry Carlton. My Japanese record label President Kuni Takeuchi went to the Luke/Carlton gig that night. When we entered the backstage, Larry Carlton came up to me and said, "Hi Derek, I'm Larry. We have been listening to your CD, and it sounds great!"-----now come on, that is fucking cool!! Later that evening Luke and I went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Roppongi and had a blast. Luke said to me, "Inertia is the best solo record that I never made."

Zakk Wylde also came up to the Leopard Room, and played on 3 songs. We went through 4 cases of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in 3 days. I hardly ever drink alcohol, but I always turn into a boozer when I am with Zakk Wylde and Yngwie Malmsteen- I guess when in Rome.....

The universal comment on "Inertia" is that everyone loved the versatility of the CD, it covered a wide range of genres form swing, metal, funk, jazz, and blues.

"Inertia" received international acclaim, and as far as I am concerned a testament to the fact that I HAVE ARRIVED!

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