Steve Clarke’s NETWORK Returns with Connected – A Celebration of Jazz Fusion Excellence

NETWORK, the pioneering jazz fusion ensemble conceived by London drummer Steve Clarke, continues to assert its influence on the UK and international jazz scene with the release of Connected. Clarke, a fixture on the UK music circuit since the late 1970s, first made his mark with progressive rock band Quasar before assembling a group of exceptional musicians to form the core of NETWORK.

The lineup features Clarke on drums, Tim Crowther on guitar, Pete Jacobson on keyboards, Laurence Cottle on bass, and Ted Emmett on trumpet. Over the years, NETWORK’s recordings have been enriched by contributions from some of the jazz world’s most respected figures, including Jan Hammer, Jack Bruce, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Dean Brown, Hadrien Feraud, and Tom Coster Jr. These collaborations helped shape NETWORK into a fusion powerhouse known for its inventive arrangements, virtuosic performances, and adventurous improvisation.

Connected is a carefully curated collection of compositions spanning NETWORK’s history, remastered and reissued to highlight the band’s innovation and impact. From the intricate grooves of The Little Blue Book to the explosive energy of Celestial Terrestrial Commuters, the album demonstrates the group’s ability to navigate complex rhythms, lush harmonies, and genre-defying textures with ease. TRACKS like Manic Depression and Deferred Gratification Pt 1 showcase both the technical brilliance of the musicians and the creative vision of Clarke as a bandleader.

This release marks the first in a series of remastered and new NETWORK albums, offering both longtime fans and new listeners an opportunity to experience the depth, excitement, and enduring influence of one of the UK’s seminal jazz fusion acts. Connected is a testament to Clarke’s lifelong dedication to music, and a celebration of the collaborative spirit that has always defined NETWORK.

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Tracklisting:

Disc 1
Side 1

1. The Little Blue Book

2. Sittin' On The Dock of The Bus

3. Manic Depression

4. Hyperventilation

5. Deferred Gratification Pt 1

6. The Impending Death of Veronica Braithwaite

7. Celestial Terrestrial Commuters

8. L21

9. Vespers

10. L.N.C. Revisited

11. Dennis The Menace

12. Looking Into Space