The tracks for the album were originally recorded by engineer Rudy Van Gelder at his Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey. According to Holdsworth, this was done during a rehearsal session, after which the tapes were released by CTI without his or the other band members' consent. None of the musicians involved ever received royalties for their work. Holdsworth therefore considered the album an unauthorised release and not part of his discography.
This debut solo release by Allan Holdsworth has an "in the raw," coarsely presented, jam-session quality complete with warts and all, as well as real gems of jazz fusion shining through. A first hearing of this release in its vinyl version might provoke laughter at how really bad it sounds compared to Holdsworth's other releases as well as his playing with other groups. As it turns out, Holdsworth himself abhors this release (considering it "a real terrible disaster"), and has taken legal action and had it removed from production for several reasons.
The original label used rehearsal tapes to compile it, deeming it unnecessary to finance real sessions. During the recording session, Holdsworth had to hurry through each song and apparently never obtained the masters to go over before release. In essence, the original release was nothing more than a taped rehearsal, packaged by CTI as an album without Holdsworth's permission.
This recording has been bootlegged by label after label, none of the musicians involved ever saw any royalties, and no legal paperwork exists. (The recording's known labels and release/re-release dates include CTI Records [1976], King Records [1976], Epic Associated Records [CD, 1990], King Records [Japanese-only CD, 1994], and CTI Records [Japanese-only CD, 1997]. Velvet Darkness was also released in 1997 on an unknown label in Japan as a bootleg CD; an original copy of the vinyl LP album had been transferred to the CD.)
The 1990 release with alternate takes (just more pieces dredged up from the jam-session practice tapes) is indeed an interesting snapshot of young stellar musicians doing their thing in a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove. It is for all the above reasons that this is indeed a completist/collectors item nowadays. Included are the now very rare recordings of Holdsworth playing acoustic guitar and violin, which he does very well. The alternate take of "Gattox" is a special treat, featuring Holdsworth soloing with an intensity and emotive power that echoes all the best dynamics jazz fusion could offer in the '70s.
This 2017 reissue is from Talking Elephant and the remastering is awesome! You can hear clearly every instrument from the musicians, the scorching guitar and violin of Holdsworth, pounding bass of Alphonso Johnson and the monster drumming of Narada Michael Walden, Same as the 1990 CBS reissue it comes with 5 alternate takes of the original tracks. Original album only at 30 min. but with the alternate take the whole cd runs at 53 minutes. This is AH's first album though he disowns since it is a "practice session" and took legal action to stop the release back in the 1990s. Does it sound like a rehearsal session? Absolutely not, it is a great jazz rock fusion album. The only let down is that there is no booklet of reading just the CD sleeve album cover. Even if you have the CBS issue get this one since there is a big improvement in sound quality.
This album is very raw. High energy. Crisp sound. Keyboards are cheesy sounding, but when were they not from that era? The drums are GREAT. Allan plays violin on this one also. I met him once during the I.O.U tour (25 years ago???), and he told me he hated this album intensely. In fact I asked him to sign mine, and he refused. He actually tried to BUY it from me!! He was not kidding. He said he wanted it out of circulation. I cannot imagine why.
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth.
https://jazz-rock-fusion-guitar.blogspot.com/search?q=Allan+Holdsworth
Track listing:
01. Good Clean Filth (5:20)
02. Floppy Hat (2:46)
03. Wish (4:20)
04. Kinder (3:07)
05. Velvet Darkness (4:42)
06. Karzie Key (3:11)
07. Las May (1:38)
08. Gattox (4:51)
Bonus tracks:
09. Good Clean Filth (Alternate take) (5:38)
10. Kinder (Alternate take) (3:07)
11. Velvet Darkness (Alternate take) (4:44)
12. Karzie Key (Alternate take) (2:15)
13. Gattox (Alternate take) (6:47)
Total time 52:26
Personnel:
- Allan Holdsworth / acoustic (2,4,7) & electric guitars, violin (6)
- Alan Pasqua / electric piano
- Alphonso Johnson / bass
- Narada Michael Walden / drums
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ReplyDeleteThis debut solo release by Allan Holdsworth has an "in the raw," coarsely presented, jam-session quality complete with warts and all, as well as real gems of jazz fusion shining through. A first hearing of this release in its vinyl version might provoke laughter at how really bad it sounds compared to Holdsworth's other releases as well as his playing with other groups. As it turns out, Holdsworth himself abhors this release (considering it "a real terrible disaster"), and has taken legal action and had it removed from production for several reasons. The original label used rehearsal tapes to compile it, deeming it unnecessary to finance real sessions. During the recording session, Holdsworth had to hurry through each song and apparently never obtained the masters to go over before release. In essence, the original release was nothing more than a taped rehearsal, packaged by CTI as an album without Holdsworth's permission. This recording has been bootlegged by label after label, none of the musicians involved ever saw any royalties, and no legal paperwork exists. (The recording's known labels and release/re-release dates include CTI Records [1976], King Records [1976], Epic Associated Records [CD, 1990], King Records [Japanese-only CD, 1994], and CTI Records [Japanese-only CD, 1997]. Velvet Darkness was also released in 1997 on an unknown label in Japan as a bootleg CD; an original copy of the vinyl LP album had been transferred to the CD.) This 1990 release with alternate takes (just more pieces dredged up from the jam-session practice tapes) is indeed an interesting snapshot of young stellar musicians doing their thing in a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove. It is for all the above reasons that this is indeed a completist/collectors item nowadays. Included are the now very rare recordings of Holdsworth playing acoustic guitar and violin, which he does very well. The alternate take of "Gattox" is a special treat, featuring Holdsworth soloing with an intensity and emotive power that echoes all the best dynamics jazz fusion could offer in the '70s. Obtaining this release second-hand is probably the only and most proper way to find it now.
DeleteThat "bootlegged by label after label" comment really isn't correct. He may not have wanted it out there, but all those CTI/Epic/King issues were totally legit releases.
ReplyDeleteYea, but don't you think they should have TOLD-PAID the musicians. I mean they didn't even tell the cats, they just sold it right out from under them.
DeleteThank you !
ReplyDeleteThey were paid for the session, but not the album royalties (although legal actions may have reconciled that over the years - who knows? out of court settlements are typically silent). Poor Van Gelder was simply the engineer, and the guy that was responsible was Creed Taylor. They were not given proper studio time - which is a shame, because Holdsworth said the compositions would have had the learned parts and refined 'charts' so to speak implemented. These really are jam sessions, no matter how much we might like them.
ReplyDeleteObrigado por compartilhar essa maravilha!
ReplyDeleteSuper¡
ReplyDeleteWonderful reissue and mastering. Always enjoyed hearing Allan play some acoustic. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeletedefunct link.
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/2U7f464zQMV
ReplyDelete