Record Reviews

LOTUS ~ LOTUS RASA 6006 ~ USA ~ World Music & Folklore AMG Review: Keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars, live gamelan gongs (not samples!), and some up-tempo percussive energy are balanced against Edenborough´s sultry vocals, and while the lyrics are seldom profound, they don´t call undue attention to themselves and certainly help establish the mood. Sampled and live chanting (the latter by a male individual simply identified as Widga) contribute additional rhythmic and melodic textures, and adds to the exotic quality of the music. Appropriation of traditional materials is often criticized as a kind of cultural desecration, but Lotus deflects that charge by virtue of its spiritual aspirations. This disk will appeal, especially to hip, worldly adults with romance in their souls as well as lust in their hearts. The blend of ethnic elements, techno touches, and smoldering emotion on Lotus is fully realized and highly satisfying. Recommended.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SANTANA ~ LOTUS COLUMBIA 467943 (Barcode: 5099746794323) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1973 Released: 1999 6th album and the first official Santana live album (not counting the Santana / Buddy Miles collaboration from early 1972, which wasn’t a proper Santana album). Recorded in Japan in June of 1973 (before the 5th album - Welcome - was recorded) and released as a massive 3 LPs album (initially in Japan only), it features the new Santana Mk. II as an octet, with core members Tom Coster (keyboards), Doug Rauch (bass) and Michael Shrieve (drums), supported by several musicians added for the Japanese tour: Richard Kermode (keyboards), Leon Thomas (vocals), Armando Peraza (percussion) and Jose Areas (percussion). All these musicians (and a few distinguished guests) were to take part in the recording of Welcome soon after and the tour was an excellent opportunity to fuse, cement and rehearse the line-up. Although Carlos Santana was a transformed musician by the time this music was recorded, leaving the Latin Rock groove behind and stepping full steam ahead into Fusion and Jazz-Rock, playing live before audiences meant to perform the well known and much loved Santana material from the three legendary first albums alongside the new material. As a result, this album presents to the listener an entirely new outlook at the early Santana material, performed here with a much jazzier edge, creating Fusion per excellence. Carlos plays wonderfully, with his usual melodic feel, but improvises more, which is of course all for the better. The two keyboards players provide the band with a massive sound, with Coster soloing often in Chick Corea’s fashion. The expanded rhythm section is busy at all times driving the music forward. In short, this is everything a Fusion fan might wish to find in an album – over two solid hours of musical bliss, with great tunes and excellent musicianship. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

WOODY SHAW ~ LOTUS FLOWER ENJA 4018 ~ USA ~ Jazz AMG Review: This CD features one of trumpeter Woody Shaw´s finest groups, a quintet with trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Tony Reedus. The five-song program has an original apiece by each of the musicians (other than Reedus) with two by the leader. Shaw was one of the great trumpeters of all time, as he shows on such advanced yet swinging numbers as "Eastern Joy Dance," "Rahsaan´s Run," and "Song of Songs." Virtually every Woody Shaw recording is well worth acquiring, including this one.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend