Record Reviews
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  | BBM ~ AROUND THE NEXT DREAM
VIRGIN 724358367324 (Barcode: 724358367324) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1993 - 1994 Released: 2003
This is an expanded reissue / remaster of the only album by the short-lived British BBMFind albums by this artist trio, which comprised of three legendary figures: drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, bassist / vocalist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and guitarist / vocalist Gary MooreFind albums by this artist. The original album presented ten tracks and this edition adds four bonus tracks, two of which were recorded live and two others are outtakes. Most of the songs were co-written by Moore and Bruce, some with the help of Kip HanrahanFind albums by this artist and a couple of Blues standards are also present.
The sound and feel of the album is remarkably close to that of the iconic CreamFind albums by this artist, which is hardly surprising. The production is of course much more polished and the almost thirty years separating this trio from Cream made its impact, but overall the resemblance is remarkable, almost as if this could be the album Cream never recorded.
Moore plays some outstanding guitar here, obviously with a wink towards Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, and Bruce is in top form singing his heart out, as is Baker beating the hell out of the drums.
For some and incomprehensible reason this album was almost completely ignored at the time of its release in 1994, which proves that music went to the drain by that time, as it is an absolute classic example of the British Rock tradition and formidable Blues-Rock recording.
Overall, this is an absolute marvel of an album, completely neglected and deserving being remembered. It offers brilliant songwriting and superb instrumental performances completely absent from today’s Rock scene. An absolute must in any decent Rock record collection!
| | Updated: 19/03/2024Posted: 19/03/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY BOYLE ~ ELECTRIC GLIDE
ESOTERIC 2308 (Barcode: 5013929430846) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2012
This is the 2nd solo album by the excellent British guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, recorded after his excellent group IsotopeFind albums by this artist disbanded. A brilliant guitarist, Boyle enjoyed success as a sideman both in the Prog and Jazz circles in UK, and the work with Isotope firmly established his reputation as a formidable Jazz-Rock Fusion player. This album, recorded with an excellent team of superb players: guitarists: Robert AwhaiFind albums by this artist, Gary MooreFind albums by this artist and Kenny ShawFind albums by this artist, bassist Phil ChenFind albums by this artist, drummers Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist and Richard BaileyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Simon MortonFind albums by this artist, is a classic example of the British Fusion, full of intricate melodies and virtuosic performances. There is not a dull moment here, from start to finish, and Fusion fans, who for some strange reason might have overlooked this treasure are about to discover a goldmine of pleasures. A must to any intelligent Fusion fan!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JACK BRUCE ~ SHADOWS IN THE AIR
SANCTUARY 142 (Barcode: 5050749214225) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1999 - 2000 Released: 2001
This is the 12th studio album by the legendary British singer / multi-instrumentalist / songwriter Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, who sings and plays bass and piano. He is supported by several musicians, including several percussionists, and prominent guests, including guitarists Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, Gary MooreFind albums by this artist and Vernon ReidFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, most of which were composed by Bruce with lyrics by poet Pete BrownFind albums by this artist, or co-composed with Kip HanrahanFind albums by this artist, who also co-produced the album. Six of the tracks are new versions of songs previously recorded by CreamFind albums by this artist and West, Bruce & LaingFind albums by this artist or appearing on his earlier albums.
The late recorded output by Bruce, which includes this album, its follower “More Jack Than GodFind albums with this title” and his final recording “Silver RailsFind albums with this title” are tragically little known and mostly ignored by his followers, despite the fact that they include some of his finest songwriting and playing. The songs are more introvert and lyrical, and offer beautiful melodies and as usual profound lyrics, reflecting the last phase of his life and career.
Overall, this is a brilliant, as always, album by one of the greatest vocalists / musicians / songwriters of all time, who never achieved the proper recognition simply because he never compromised and created music he believed in. Despite his fame as a Rock superstar, his true glory remains deeply hidden in his solo career and his deep affinity to Jazz.
| | Updated: 31/10/2023Posted: 31/10/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | JACK BRUCE ~ THE 50TH BIRTHDAY CONCERTS
MIG 90610 (Barcode: 885513906106) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1993 Released: 2014
This Box Set is a document of the two concerts organized in order to celebrate the 50th Birthday of British vocalist / bassist / composer Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest figures of Rock / Blues-Rock / Prog-Rock and Jazz-Rock. These concerts took place on November 2nd and 3rd of 1993 and were recorded and videoed for posterity. The Box Sets includes two DVDs which present the music played during the two nights (totaling in almost four hours of unadulterated Jack Bruce genius) and in addition it also includes a third DVD with an extensive collection of interviews with Bruce and his guests recorded at the time and a CD with another hour of music, which is not included on the two concert DVDs. In short about six hours of Jack Bruce, his music and his unique personality, which made his one of the most respected and admired musicians of the 20th Century.
Bruce invited a formidable stable of musicians / friends to come and play with him during these two days, a list of which reads like the who´s who of British Rock and includes: guitarists Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist and Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, drummers Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist and Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist, pianist / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, organist Bernie WorrellFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist and Art ThemenFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, trombonist John MumfordFind albums by this artist and vocalists Gary "Mudbone" CooperFind albums by this artist and Maggie ReillyFind albums by this artist. Poet / lyricist / vocalist and a lifetime friend of Bruce, the incredible Pete BrownFind albums by this artist also makes an appearance. With such lineup the music is simply exploding with talent and incredible performances.
The music includes a selection of mostly Bruce originals, spanning from the glorious CreamFind albums by this artist days and through all the solo albums Bruce recorded after Cream disbanded. His brilliant compositions prove again that they are completely resistant to the passing of time, and present a fabulous legacy that will stay with us forever.
My personal favorite part of the concert is the last hour on the second DVD, which presents just the trio of Baker, Bruce and Moore, playing a series of Cream favorites, which is simply breathtaking and presents an "alternative" Cream vision, which is in every respect as exciting as the original group with Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist. The absence of Clapton is in fact a great disappointment and might have been a momentous occasion, but it was corrected twelve years later during the Cream reunion concerts in 2005.
Overall this is a package no lover of Classic Rock will consider to miss, especially in view of the fact that some of the people captured here are no longer with us (Heckstall-Smith, Moore and of course Bruce himself). Since nobody makes music like this any more, this stuff is even more important today for the sake of the new generation, in case it´s not completely lost yet.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 03/05/2016 | 3DVD+CD 4 Digipak Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM II ~ STRANGE NEW FLESH (EXPANDED EDITION)
CASTLE 1188 (Barcode: 5050749411884) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2005
1st album by the second incarnation of ColosseumFind albums by this artist. After the original band disbanded in 1971, leader and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist formed TempestFind albums by this artist (which recorded two splendid albums) and in 1974 formed the new Colosseum with guitar hero Gary MooreFind albums by this artist. The new band had a much “harder” sound than the original band, but still played a mixture of Jazz-Rock, which by that time was already called Fusion. The band also included the excellent keyboards player Don AireyFind albums by this artist and bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist) as well as Mike StarrsFind albums by this artist on lead vocals. The combination of five first class musicians produced a band that could play anything between Fusion and Prog with ease and elegance, as this album proves. Although received coldly by the fans of the original Colosseum (probably due to the different sound and the fact that the strong presence of Blues elements was replaced with Rock elements), this is an excellent album in every respect and in retrospect surely deserves much more attention that it did originally. This beautiful new edition almost triples the playing time of the original album by an hour of studio material and a BBC live concert recorded in 1976, all previously unreleased. Highly recommended.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | DEEP PURPLE ~ PERFECT STRANGERS
POLYDOR 731454604529 (Barcode: 731454604529) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1984 Released: 1999
This is a reissue / remaster of the 11th studio album by iconic British Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, which was also the first album recorded by the first reunion of the Mk II lineup with vocalist Ian GillanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ritchie BlackmoreFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jon LordFind albums by this artist, bassist Roger GloverFind albums by this artist and drummer Ian PaiceFind albums by this artist. Blackmore and Glover arrived from RainbowFind albums by this artist, Lord from WhitesnakeFind albums by this artist, Gillan from Black SabbathFind albums by this artist and Paice from Gary MooreFind albums by this artist’s band, which emphasizes the omnipresence of these musicians on the British Rock scene at the time. The album presents eight original songs and this reissue adds two bonus tracks.
The album offers an excellent collection of songs, which resulted in turning it into one of the most successful albums in the band’s history. The instrumental performances are as perfect as always, offering impressive solo parts. Despite the fact that the Rock music in the 1980 was already completely disintegrated, Deep Purple firmly hold on to the formula forged over a decade earlier, and were simply way above any other Rock group active at the time.
Overall, this is a superb Classic Rock album, which despite the continuous attempt to classify it as Heavy Metal, has absolutely nothing to do with that genre. Forty years later this still sounds better than everything you can hear these days in what remains of the media. Definitely worth to be re-visited!
| | Updated: 16/06/2022Posted: 16/06/2022 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JCM ~ HEROES
REPERTOIRE 1354 (Barcode: 4009910135426) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018
This is the only album by the British trio JCMFind albums by this artist comprising of three ex-ColosseumFind albums by this artist members: guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, bassist / vocalist Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten songs and one instrumental, mostly originals by the trio members, a couple of Jack BruceFind albums by this artist songs, one Graham BondFind albums by this artist song and four songs involving guitar heroes that the album is dedicated to: Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist, Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist.
The music floats between Rock oriented songs and Jazz-Rock Fusion material, all beautifully executed by the three veterans, who prove to be timeless heroes themselves. Clempson still plays some superb guitar licks that very few other guitar players around are able to compete with, Clarke sings with great sensitivity and Hiseman, one the greatest drummers of all time, as well as an excellent recording engineer and producer, does a perfect job as well. Sadly, this was his last recording before his untimely death, shortly after the album was released.
For Colosseum fans, British Prog / Jazz-Rock Fusion enthusiasts, guitar freaks and all good music lovers around the world this album is a breath of fresh air, although it sits firmly in the tradition established well over five decades earlier. The saying “they don’t make music like this anymore” obviously does not apply to this album. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 04/06/2025Posted: 07/08/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY MOORE ~ LIVE FROM LONDON
PROVOGUE 7605 (Barcode: 810020501032) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2020
This is an archive album by British guitar virtuoso / vocalist / composer Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, recorded live in December 2009 just over a year before his untimely death in 2011. The album was recorded with keyboardist Vic MartinFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter ReesFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve DixonFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, some being his original compositions, which span his entire career, with an emphasis on Blues, which was always his favorite idiom despite the fact that his career covered a wide range of genres.
The tight band and the incredibly coherent choice of material make this album one of his best ever live recordings. The fire and virtuosity of his soloing fully justify his legendary status as a guitar hero and one of the very best axe man of his generation. The music includes such classic Blues anthems as John MayallFind albums by this artist’s “Have You Heard” and Al KooperFind albums by this artist’s “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”, which alone are the worth the price of the album in gold.
Overall this album is an instant classic, especially for Blues-Rock enthusiasts and a wonderful reminder of Moore’s genius. Although the market is pretty stuffed with live Moore material, this album is an absolute highlight and an essential part of any decent music collection. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 09/08/2021Posted: 09/08/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | PAUL RODGERS ~ MUDDY WATER BLUES
EAGLE 222 (Barcode: 5034504122222) ~ UK ~ Blues
Recorded: 1993 Released: 2002
British vocalist Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist is without a doubt the greatest white Blues singer of all times. Since his days as the front man of the legendary FreeFind albums by this artist and in the five decades that followed no other vocalist managed to demonstrate the same level of sensitivity, virtuosity and feeling even remotely close to those of Rodgers. This stunning album, which as the title suggests is a tribute to the great Blues singer / songwriter Muddy WatersFind albums by this artist, finds Rodgers performing the classic material with flare and his usual brilliance. He is accompanied by a horde of great guitarists, all paying tribute to the great Godfather of Blues: Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, David GilmourFind albums by this artist, Buddy GuyFind albums by this artist, Brian MayFind albums by this artist, Steve MillerFind albums by this artist, Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, Trevor RabinFind albums by this artist, Neal SchonFind albums by this artist, SlashFind albums by this artist and a few others. Anything else said about this music is completely redundant – just grab it when you can as this is one of the greatest Blues albums ever recorded!
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | THIN LIZZY ~ BLACK ROSE (DELUXE EDITION)
MERCURY 277270 (Barcode: 602527727004) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2011
This is the 10th album by Thin LizzyFind albums by this artist, the last of the great Irish / British Rock bands of the 1970s. Formed and led by the charismatic vocalist / bassist / composer Phil LynottFind albums by this artist and drummer Brian DowneyFind albums by this artist (they were the only steady members lasting until Lynott´s untimely death in 1985), the band was characterized by a double lead guitar lineup and a strong connection to Irish / Celtic roots. Many great guitar players were members of the band over the years, but this album features the superb Gary MooreFind albums by this artist, who was also of Irish origin and was friendly with Lynott since the late 1960s, when they were members of Skid RowFind albums by this artist. Unfortunately Moore´s stint with the band lasted only for this one album, and he was replaced by another guitar hero: Snowy White. In retrospect this is definitely the strongest album the band recorded, full of great songs and passionate playing. This new edition expands the original album by a whole CD of new material, which includes alternate takes and other goodies. A great example of late Classic Rock, before it all went to hell!
| | | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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