Record Reviews

JEFF BECK ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS SONY 888751056329 (Barcode: 888751056329) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 - 1977 Released: 2015 This Box Set collects reissues of five albums by the legendary British guitarist / composer / bandleader Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist, originally released on the EpicFind albums on this label label between 1971 and 1977. They are: “Rough And ReadyFind albums with this title” (1971), “Jeff Beck GroupFind albums with this title” (1972), “Blow By BlowFind albums with this title” (1975), “WiredFind albums with this title” (1976) and “Jeff Beck With The Jan Hammer Group LiveFind albums with this title” (1977). Those are the third to seventh albums recorded by Jeff Beck, except the two albums (one studio and one live) recorded by him as part of the short lived Beck, Bogert & AppiceFind albums by this artist trio. The first two albums included here were recorded by the second incarnation of the Jeff Back GroupFind albums by this artist (the first incarnation recorded the first two Back’s albums “TruthFind albums with this title” and “Beck-OlaFind albums with this title”), which included vocalist Bobby TrenchFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Max MiddletonFind albums by this artist, bassist Clive ChamanFind albums by this artist and drummer Cozy PowellFind albums by this artist. Stylistically these were transitional albums between Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion, which was Beck’s main interest in the years that followed. The next two albums present some of Beck’s most admired work as a guitarist, both being purely instrumental and clearly moving deeply into Jazz-Rock Fusion, but with the unique characteristics of his superb sense of melody and fabulous improvisational abilities, which have but a few equals among the world’s guitar heroes. Beck is accompanied by Middleton, bassist Phil ChenFind albums by this artist and drummer Richard BaileyFind albums by this artist on “Blow By Blow” and Middleton and Czech keyboardist Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, American bassist Wilbur BascombFind albums by this artist and drummer Narada Michael WaldenFind albums by this artist on “Wired”. The live album is a full-blown Fusion affair on which Back is supported by Hammer and an all American team of violinist Steve KindlerFind albums by this artist, bassist Fernando SaundersFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony SmithFind albums by this artist. Not surprisingly the music sounds not far from Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Overall this is a real treat to all guitar fans and undeniably some of the most exciting music recorded in the 1970s. Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 31/07/2021Posted: 31/07/2021

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

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

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend