Record Reviews

JAN HAMMER GROUP ~ LIVE IN NEW YORK MOOSICUS 1226 (Barcode: 885513122629) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by Czech / American keyboardist / composer Jan HammerFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which appeared under the Jan Hammer GroupFind albums by this artist moniker, formed after Hammer left Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. It included violinist Steve KindlerFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Fernando SaundersFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony SmithFind albums by this artist. The same lineup recorded also the group’s first album “Oh, Yeah?Find albums with this title”. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Hammer, one is co-composed by Hammer and Jerry GoodmanFind albums by this artist, who played with him in Mahavishnu Orchestra and recorded with him is the duo album “Like ChildrenFind albums with this title”, and finally one is by Goodman. The sound quality is not perfect, but quite acceptable. Stylistically and sound wise, this album sounds very much like a live Mahavishnu Orchestra gig, less the guitar of course. Although Kindler sounds similar to Goodman and the rhythm section is excellent, Hammer is not able to perform all the virtuosic riffs that John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist was creating, despite his obvious superb abilities. Nevertheless, this is still a great Fusion live performance, with the eminent end of Fusion’s glory days at the horizon. Overall, this is a great time capsule, which delivers the joy and creativity of Fusion at its last glory days. The following albums of the group were already losing the spirit and Hammer moved into writing music for American TV and Cinema, which brought him fame and success. For Fusion fans, this is a definitely something worthy of a place in their record collection. I had great fun listening to this.

Updated: 22/09/2025Posted: 22/09/2025

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