I have one of his later ones,Drive and the only reason I gave it a chance was because he coaxed Jeff Beck away from working on his Hot Rod to play on 1 track. I am so glad I did,Beck is as usual excellent.
I have one of his later ones,Drive and the only reason I gave it a chance was because he coaxed Jeff Beck away from working on his Hot Rod to play on 1 track. I am so glad I did,Beck is as usual excellent.
Well it wasn't released until 5 years ago and let's face it, there's not going to be much of a press fanfare about a live fusion album that was recorded in 1975 (and is only available as a download). But better late than never, right, Rand?! I think it's pretty killer diller! I was fortunate enough to hear that band in a smallish club in Chicago, probably that year. I remember it as being one of the better concerts I've ever attended and after all these years, it was good to find they were just as great as I remembered them being. They pretty near matched the pure adrenalin of the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, but they were cleaner and tighter. That drummer Tony Smith was and is a very underrated player; he and Fernando Saunders just propelled that band! And Jan is in top form here; terrific Moog and Rhodes playing throughout!
Speaking of Jan, How do you rate his works with Jieremy Steig???
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
Haven't heard that stuff in ages, but I doubt that it was the pinnacle of his career. It would be interesting to hear though. Jan's career as a jazz pianist was blossoming in those earlier days; he had already worked with Elvin Jones and Sarah Vaughan, to name a few. I think The Mahavishnu Orchestra brought about a rebirth in his whole concept and approach.
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
Thanks for the links, but A: It was a little too "boogaloo" for me, at least until that second tune went into an uptempo swing (with a nice short Rhodes solo from Jan) and B: Jeremy still reminds me of Ian Anderson doing his Rahsaan Roland Kirk impression. I guess I've been spoiled by the nice fat flute sounds from the likes of Joe Farrell and Hubert Laws. As always, ymmv.
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