Record Reviews

JON ANDERSON ~ ANIMATION (EXPANDED EDITION) OPIO 01 (Barcode: 604388679423) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 2006 3rd album by the legendary YesFind albums by this artist founding member and singer Jon AndersonFind albums by this artist. Anderson recorded over the years extensively as solo artists in parallel to his work with Yes, accumulating an impressive musical legacy. This album is considered to be his strongest and most consistent release. Recorded by a stellar cast of over 30 musicians, including Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist (ColosseumFind albums by this artist), Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist, David SanciousFind albums by this artist, Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and many others, with brass and string sections and arrangements, this is one impressive piece of music. As usual in Anderson’s case this is a concept album, based on a story written by him. The convoluted lyrics are as unclear and mystical as ever, to the delight of his fans and a source of mockery by his critics. Whatever one might think about Anderson’s literary talents, the music – composed entirely by him - is excellent, with strong fusion (and even some jazz) undertones, played brilliantly all the way. The new expanded edition adds bonus material recorded at the same session, including the almost 12 minutes long epic track called “The Spell”. An absolute must to all Yes fans and a very strong Prog album overall. Recommended.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JACK BRUCE ~ BIRD ALONE NEPTUNE 114 (Barcode: 5050693101527) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1980 Released: 2001 What a delight it is to see (and hear) this piece of history being released. Any previously unknown piece of recording by Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, the legendary composer, singer and bass player and one of the most distinctive voices of our era. This album documents a live performance of the Jack Bruce Band in Denver in 1980. The band included Jack Bruce – vocals, bass & piano, David SanciousFind albums by this artist – keyboards & guitar, Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist (ColosseumFind albums by this artist) – guitar and Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist (Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist) – drums, a dreamy lineup by any standard. The repertoire of the concert spans the entire Jack’s career, from the CreamFind albums by this artist days and through his wonderful solo albums released in the 1970s. His unique voice is in top form and the performances are spirited and inspired. The sound quality might not be top notch, but considering that this is a soundboard recording, which was never intended for release, it’s not too bad. I wouldn’t hesitate even a fraction of a second if to get this one, as the historic importance of this recording surpassed by far any sound imperfections. A must to all Jack Bruce disciples!

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

JACK BRUCE ~ I`VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS ESOTERIC 2073 (Barcode: 5013929717329) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1980 Released: 2008 This wonderful album by bassist / singer / composer Jack BruceFind albums by this artist was unfortunately lost somewhere along the way, drawing little attention, although it is as good in every respect as the rest of the material Bruce recorded through the 1970s as a solo artist and leader of the Jack Bruce BandFind albums by this artist. A beautiful set of songs composed by Bruce and as usual with lyrics supplied by his poet-friend Pete BrownFind albums by this artist comprise the bulk of the material and are exceptionally intelligent and moving. The stellar band accompanying him on this recording includes guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist (ColosseumFind albums by this artist), keyboardist David SanciousFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist. Bruce delivers the vocals in a completely unique fashion, his operatic abilities evident as always and the instrumental work is spotless and sympathetic. Considering Bruce´s songwriting abilities one wonders why he remains to be known only among a relatively small circle of friends and admirers, rather than being appreciated and treasures more wildly. Well he´s obviously simply too good for his own good. Brilliant stuff and a most welcome reissue!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JACK BRUCE ~ LIVE AT ROCKPALAST 1980, 1983 AND 1990 MIG 90862 (Barcode: 885513908629) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1980 - 1990 Released: 2019 This Box Set presents a collection of live concert recordings by iconic British bassist / vocalist / songwriter Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, captured by the German TV program Rockpalast. The 5CD / 2DVD collection presents forty-three tracks, recorded on three different occasions, as described below. With a few exceptions all the songs were written by Bruce with lyrics by the poet Peter BrownFind albums by this artist. CD1 & CD2 were recorded / filmed on October 19th, 1980 and the lineup includes Bruce, guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, American keyboardist / guitarist David SanciousFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist. CD3 was recorded / filmed on October 16th, 1990 and is a solo performance by Bruce playing piano and singing. CD4 & CD5 were recorded / filmed on November 1st, 1983 and the lineup includes Bruce, Sancious and drummer Bruce GaryFind albums by this artist. DVD1 includes the video material of CD1 to CD3 and DVD2 includes the video material of CD4 and CD5. The music includes most of the songs Bruce recorded during his career and up to that time, including several going back to the CreamFind albums by this artist days. Although there are a few surprises here, each and every appearance by Bruce was completely unique, as his fans and followers are of course aware of. His incredible bass virtuosity is fully covered here, as are his vocal performances, and every minute of Bruce on stage is pure delight. Overall, this is an incredible piece of archive material by one of the greatest Rock / Jazz-Rock Fusion musicians of all time. Although the sound quality is a bit iffy at times, this monumental collection of Bruce’s live material is an absolute must to his followers. His unique power of expression remains unchallenged and his premature departure robbed us of his talent and personally a Friend for almost fifty years…

Updated: 04/03/2024Posted: 04/03/2024

5CD+2DVD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STANLEY CLARKE ~ JOURNEY TO LOVE EPIC 468221 (Barcode: 5099746822125) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 3rd album by one of the most important Jazz / Fusion players / composers Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist. A brilliant instrumentalist on both the acoustic and electric basses, Clark first came to the attention of Fusion fans as a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, where he played some of the most innovative bass parts of the genre. His ability to switch between the acoustic and electric bass and his incredible musicality and sense of rhythm made him the world’s leader on his instrument, to be surpassed later only by the mighty Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist (please note Clarke plays fretted bass guitar and Pastorius fretless bass guitar, which are quite different in many ways). This album is considered his best release ever. With a stellar cast including Chick Corea, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist, Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and David SanciousFind albums by this artist, Clarke presents a series of brilliant compositions, each one in a different style and instrumentation. The absolute highlight of the album is the acoustic trio (with Corea and McLaughlin) dedicated to John Coltrane. Also the “Concerto For Jazz / Rock Orchestra”, performed with a brass section, is an amazing piece of classic Fusion. This is an absolute must for any Fusion / good music fan.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STANLEY CLARKE ~ THE COMPLETE 1970S EPIC ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979312227 (Barcode: 886979312227) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1979 Released: 2012 American bassist / composer / bandleader Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist is one of the iconic figures of the Jazz-Rock Fusion explosion, which swept the world in the late 1960s / early 1970s. His distinctive and virtuosic bass lines have set standards, which are followed to this very day, with very few bass players being able to play as technically perfect as he always did and even fewer to be as inventive, groundbreaking and innovative. Although primarily associated with Fusion and the electric bass guitar, Clarke always was (and still is) an exceptional acoustic bass player with a superb Jazz technique and sensitivity. Clarke first came to prominence as a member of the first lineup of the legendary Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s ensemble Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, where his bass lines shaped the music as significantly as Corea´s keyboard wizardry. Clarke stayed with the original band for several years and remained a Corea´s friend and collaborator in the decades that followed. In parallel to his work with Return To Forever, Clarke started a solo recording career, which produced some of Fusion´s and later also Funk´s greatest moments. Following the release of his debut solo album on PolydorFind albums on this label, he switched to the NemperorFind albums on this label label (currently owned by SonyFind albums on this label) and later on to the EpicFind albums on this label label (a subsidiary of ColumbiaFind albums on this label). He recorded five albums for Nemperor between 1974 and 1979, the last of which was a live double LP. In the 1980s and early 1990s his albums were released on Epic. This Box Set includes all the five albums released on Nemperor and as a bonus also a live album recorded during Clarke´s band tours in 1976-1977, which was released only in 1991. Of course the list of names of the musicians, who play alongside Clarke on these albums, reads like an encyclopedia of American music of that period. To mention just a few: keyboardists Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, David SanciousFind albums by this artist and others, guitarists Bill ConnorsFind albums by this artist, Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and others, drummers Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist, Steve GaddFind albums by this artist, Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist, Gerry BrownFind albums by this artist and others and a myriad of other musicians. Clarke composed almost every note played here, with very few exceptions, and the music is absolutely marvelous and ass-kicking, as it was at the time it was recorded. Clarke was often criticized for utilizing his vocals on some of these albums, which of course was not one of his fortes, but since the vocals are relatively scarce and in retrospect really not that bad, that point of criticism id completely insignificant in view of the majestic content of the music contained herein. Every bass player today, consciously or subconsciously, directly or indirectly is influenced one way or another by what Stanley Clarke played over the years, and this Box Set is a great way to celebrate his talent. Brilliant stuff!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend