MAHAVISHNU
ORCHESTRA – BEYOND NOTHINGNESS & ETERNITY / VISIONS OF THE EMERALD BEYOND
A pair
of 70s classics from this mighty fusion ensemble – back to back in a single
collection! First up is Between Nothingness & Eternity – and although
there's a pretty big space between nothingness & eternity – but Mahavishnu
Orchestra manage to fill most of it up with their hard-jamming approach! The
style here is a bit different than the group's initial albums – as the record's
a live one, and features some very long tracks that stretch out with possibly a
bit more spiritual influence than before – still rockish at times, but also
with freer floating energy as well. Billy Cobham's drums are worth the price of
admission alone – and other group members include the mighty John McLaughlin on
guitar and Jan Hammer on electric piano, synth, and moog. Titles include the "Thrilogy"
suite, plus "Sister Andrea" and "Dreams". Visions Of The
Emerald Beyond is very spacey work from Mahavishnu Orchestra – a set that
continues the change in sound explored by the second incarnation of the group –
one that's much more spacious than the first! The group here is somewhat large,
but often comes off with a good sense of leanness at times – less of the
notes-on-notes jams of rockish fusion, and more stretched-out spiritual modes,
mixed with a slight dose of funk at just the right moments! John McLaughlin's
in the lead on guitar, and other players include Gayle Moran on keyboards,
Jean-Luc Ponty on electric violin, and Narada Michael Waldon on drums,
percussion, clavinet, and vocals. Titles include "Eternity's Breath",
"Lile's Dance", "Can't Stand Your Funk", "Earth
Ship", "Be Happy", "Opus 1", and
"Pegasus". ~, Dusty Groove
BIG BOSS MAN - LAST FAMILY ON EARTH
Maybe
the coolest record we've ever heard from this mod British combo – a set that
gets way past the easy retro references of previous albums, and goes for a vibe
that's quite complicated, but still pretty darn groovy! The set's got the look
and feel of the best jazzy soundtracks of the 60s – and these guys bring in a
nice range of styles to match – from jaunty groovers to more complicated sonic
explorations – served up on a blend of Hammond, Fender Rhodes, mellotron,
timbales, tablas, electric sitar, and more – all with a feel that's maybe
somewhere in the best territory of Roy Budd during his Get Carter years! The
whole thing's wonderful – a great evolution from before – and titles include
"Trans Adonis", "Theme From Last Man On Earth",
"Aardvark", "Blow Your Own", "Hail Caesar", and
"Changing Faces" – and although most of the set is instrumental,
three tracks feature some guest vocals too.
~ Dusty Groove
BALLISTER
– BOTH ENDS
Maybe
one of the most vibrant musical performances ever from the Ballister trio – for
reasons that are recorded in the notes on the album – a stunning collaboration
between Dave Rempis on alto and tenor, Fred Lonberg-Holm on cello and
electronics, and Paal Nilssen-Love on drums and percussion! The players have a
great way of swinging between sound and space – really letting things out to
create the right sort of suspense, then bounding back in with the sort of bold
energy that really feeds their fire – almost with a sensitivity that's
surprising, given the situation! The album features one long live performance –
divided up into "Front" and "Back" passages. (Yellow vinyl
pressing, too!) ~ Dusty Groove
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