Billy Cobham - 1998 "Magic" & "Simplicity of Expression"

This is a bargain priced CD reissue of two of drummer Billy Cobham's harder to find recordings from the later '70s. Of the two, Magic is far superior and is generally regarded as one of his most interesting recordings in his extensive discography. Magic alone is worth the upgrade to CD; however, the inclusion of Simplicity of Expression: Depth of Thought amounts to nothing more than a throw in. Cobham recorded some embarrassing disco during the late '70s and this is a prime example. The two for one is too good to pass up and makes the CD highly recommended for fusion collectors.

Contains Two Classic Fusion Albums on One CD ('Magic' (1977) and 'Depth of Thought' (1978) ). Featuring Sidemen Such as : Mark Soskin (Piano), Pete Maunu (Guitar), Randy Jackson (Bass) and Sheila E. (Percussion). Includes the Songs : 'On a Magic Carpet Ride', 'Ac/Dc', 'Magic', 'Bolinas', 'Pocket Change', 'Indigo' and 'Early Libra'.

Is there one word which defines this double compilation CD from drummer extraordinaire Billy Cobham? Sure.....it's "ethereal". Here, Cobham transcends his contemporaries, such as Jack de Johnette and Omar Hakim to display not only a surreal understanding of rhythm, but an "ethereal" display of melody, nuance and structure. Check out "Leaward Winds" from the "Magic" album, or "Bolinas" from "Simplicity of Expression, Depth of Thought". The title song from the latter CD goes boldly where many a jazz drummer wish to tread, but cannot successfully navigate. This applies to "La Guernica" from the same CD. No overstatement here....merely the weight of Cobham's drumming flowing effortlessly over an air tight melodic wave of creativity and purpose. A masterpiece.

Billy Cobham - 1977 "Magic" 

 Of all Billy Cobham's Columbia fusion sessions, time has been the most unkind to Magic. Despite some inspired and at times awe-inspiring performances, the album is too much a product of its era, suffering from sickly sweet production, awkward vocal contributions, and ill-fitting clarinet contributions from an out of place Alvin Batiste. Strip away the viscous layers of gloss and indulgence, and Magic begins to live up to its title. Cobham's rhythmic interplay with bassist Randy Jackson and percussionists Pete Escovedo and Sheila E. is nothing short of astounding, as fierce and funky as anything in the drummer's catalog. But the songs are tepid and the arrangements overbaked, not to mention that Pete Maunu's guitar wankery verging on the point of absurdity. All in all, too much of a good thing, yet still not enough.

Line-up / Musicians

- Billy Cobham / drums, hand-claps, vocals
- Joachim Kuhn / electric piano, acoustic piano, Mini Moog synthesizer
- Mark Soskin / acoustic piano, acoustic tack piano, electric piano, Oberheim synthesizer
- Pete Maunu / guitars
- Randy Jackson / bass
- Alvin Baptiste / clarinet
- Pete Escovedo / timbales, vocals
- Sheila Escovedo / congas
- Kathleen Kaan / vocals
- Hojo / hand-claps
- Dennis / hand-claps


Billy Cobham - 1978 "Simplicity of Expression"

 Along with the little known B.C., this is Billy Cobham's most disappointing recordings of the '70s. Like fellow fusion/drumming legends Alphonse Mouzon and Lenny White, Cobham gradually migrated toward disco/funk. His brand of this music sounds worse than most because he continues the propulsive drum style, making for an unbalanced approach. "Bolinas" and "Pocket Change" are embarrassing, but all is not lost as "La Guernica" is a burner. As the so-called death of fusion was fast approaching, Cobham was at a crossroads in his career.

Line-up / Musicians

- Billy Cobham / drums, percussion, background vocals (3,5)
- Randy Jackson / bass, background vocals (3,5)
- Mark Soskin / keyboards (1-3,5)
- Joachim Kühn / Moog (4), keyboards (6)
- Mike Mainieri / vibraphone (4)
- Ray Mouton / guitar (1,2,5)
- Charles Singleton / guitar (1,2,5), lead vocals (3,5), background vocals (3,5)
- Steve Khan / acoustic 12-string & 6-string guitar (2)
- Pete Mannu / guitar (4)
- Alvin Batiste / clarinet (2), woodwinds (3,5)
- Eddie Daniels / woodwinds (3,5), tenor sax (1)
- Kamal / lead vocals (1,6)
- Marvin Stamm / trumpet (1,2,6), flugelhorn (1,2,6)
- Mike Lawrence / trumpet (1,2,6), flugelhorn (1,2,6)
- Wayne Andre / trombone (1,2,6)
- Alan Ralph / trombone (1,2,6)
- George Quinn / trombone (1,2,6)
- Brooks Tillotson / french horn (1,2,6)
- Don Corrado / fench horn (1,2,6)
- David Nadien / concert master of the string section (1,2,6)
- Matthew Raimondi / string section (1,2,6)
- Richard Hendrickson / string section (1,2,6)
- Alfred V.Brown / string section (1,2,6)
- Peter Dimitriades / string section (1,2,6)
- Anahid Aiemian / string section (1,2,6)
- Louis Shulman / string section (1,2,6)
- Jonathan Abramowitz / string section (1,2,6)

Track Listings

  1. On A Magic Carpet Ride
  2. AC/DC
  3. Leaward Winds
  4. Puffnstugg
  5. "anteres" The Star
  6. Magic
  7. Reflections In The Coulds
  8. Magic-Recapitulation
  9. Bolinas
  10. La Guernica
  11. Pocket Change
  12. Indigo
  13. Opelousas
  14. Early Libra

Focus - 1972 [1988] "Moving Waves"

Focus II (re-released as Moving Waves) is the second studio album from the Dutch rock band Focus. The album includes the hit "Hocus Pocus" and "Eruption", a 23-minute adaptation of Jacopo Peri's opera Euridice which tells the story of Orpheus and Euridice. Focus II was released in October 1971 to positive critical reception. It went on to reach the top ten in the UK, US and the Netherlands.

The single "Hocus Pocus" was Focus' biggest hit and gained the band international popularity. The song, similar in some regards to the riff-driven hard rock of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, anticipated many aspects of 1980s heavy metal music, and especially the guitar work of Yngwie Malmsteen with Akkerman's use of the harmonic minor and Hungarian minor scales, uncommon in rock music in the early 1970s.
Radical departures in musical styles follow in the remaining tracks of the album. "Le Clochard" ("The Beggar" in French), also entitled "Bread", is a melancholy classical guitar piece by Akkerman with van Leer backing on Mellotron strings. "Janis", another Akkerman-penned ballad, becomes a flute showcase for van Leer with multiple tracks on that instrument. "Moving Waves", a piano and vocal solo by Thijs van Leer, features lyrics by Sufi poet/master musician Inayat Khan. "Focus II" features the entire band in a classical-jazz fusion instrumental with graceful changes of time signature.
"Eruption" is a 23 minute long instrumental piece, a hard rock version of the tale of Orpheus and Euridice and an updated and more modern version of Jacopo Peri's opera Euridice. An uncredited melody from Monteverdi's L'Orfeo opens the suite, and a later segment includes the haunting "Tommy" (after its author Tom Barlage of the Dutch fusion band Solution). The Zappa-inspired "The Bridge" is a heavily syncopated jam session, culminating in some solo guitar riffs reminiscent of "Hocus Pocus" . "Euridice", penned by Eelko Nobel, is a classical lied which segues into the Gregorian "Dayglow", then van der Linden's drum solo, "Endless Road". The suite ends with a return to its opening themes, uniting them with "Euridice" with van der Linden's freeform percussion effectively evoking the sound of fireworks for the finale.

The album that boosted Focus into at least semi-fame outside of continental Europe, Moving Waves blasts off with their hit single, "Hocus Pocus." Built around a killer guitar hook by Jan Akkerman and a series of solo turns by the band, this instrumental replaced "Wipeout" as a staple of FM radio. The bizarrely hilarious vocal and accordion solos by Thijs van Leer -- one of which absurdly concludes with rousing stadium cheers -- have to be heard to be believed. After this over-the-top performance, the other tracks seem comparatively constrained: the gentle "Le Clochard" features some gorgeous classical guitar over Mellotron strings. The album concludes with "Eruption," which while mimicking the multi-suite nomenclature of Yes and King Crimson, is essentially a side-long jam session. Stop-time Emersonian organ solos alternate with languid sections of jazzy guitar redolent of Santana, while still other sections are flat-out electric blues-rock stomps. It's impressive playing, though it comes off as a bit meandering after the tightly structured solos that began the album.

"Moving Waves" is an easy to like classic prog recording. This is my favorite FOCUS release from their repertoire. "Moving Waves" contains some killer prog moments with classical piano and outrageous guitar riffs. "Hocus Pocus" is their signature piece with the famous yodeling of Thijs Van Leer. I love the gooves these guys get into and the presence of the 'ol Mellotron and classic guitar rock gives "Moving Waves" a high ranking on my all time favorite list.

This Netherlandish progressive masterpiece is one of the most hard rock progressive album made during that era: indeed Jan Akkerman's incisive and razor electric guitars are omnipresent: pure hard rock solos a la Led Zeppelin, and barely less timid aggressive riffs. The drums are restless, very complex and fast. The keyboards mostly consist in organ, mellotron, piano and harmonium. The intensely yodeling of Thijs Van Leer on "Hocus Pocus" is LEGENDARY: you are going to want to sing it! "Le clochard" has a beautiful floating mellotron in the background and impressive & relaxing acoustic guitar parts that should impress Steve Hackett himself. The peaceful and rhythmic "Janis" contains mellow flute parts a la Camel. The lead vocals on "Moving Waves" remind me early King Crimson. "Focus 2" is an OUTSTANDING very progressive track: Jan Akkerman "dances" with his melodic electric guitar: it seems that the other instruments follow his partitions, creating very structured and pleasant melodies through rhythm & air changes.
On side 2, the epic "Eruption" is a REAL progressive masterpiece, sometimes comparable to Jethro Tull's "Thick as a brick": the same organ sounds, tons on drums, very melodic bass, straightforward hard rock electric guitars; there are some intensely floating mellotron & backing vocals parts; there is a part which was composed by the Netherlandish fusion band Solution, coming from the "Divergence" album; there is a poignant & melodic piano part, accompanied with electric guitar and flute; the drum solo is absolutely impressive, having a bit the Neil Peart's style.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Tracks Listing

1. Hocus Pocus (6:42)
2. Le Clochard (2:01)
3. Janis (3:09)
4. Moving Waves (2:42)
5. Focus II (4:03)
6. Eruption (23:04)
-a. Orfeus, Answer, Orfeus
-b. Answer, Pupilla, Tommy, Pupilla
-c. Answer, The Bridge
-d. Euridice, Dayglow, Endless Road
-e. Answer, Orfeus, Euridice

Total Time: 41:41

Personnel

    Thijs van Leer – Hammond organ, piano, mellotron, harmonium, flutes, vocals
    Jan Akkerman – guitars, bass guitar
    Cyril Havermans – bass guitar, vocals on "Pupilla"
    Pierre van der Linden – drums, percussion

Steve Khan - 1990 "Public Access"

Steve Khan is a bit of an enigma in jazz guitar circles, as he neither clearly succeeds nor fails in any of his efforts. This is an exception, however, as the presence of Dave Weckl makes for one of the best GRP releases of the '90s. Khan's sound is still a bit weak, but his compositions are strong, as is the amazing percussion of Manolo Badrena. A longtime collaborator with Khan, Badrena seems to have every type of percussion ever made and uses them all effectively. Weckl thrives on the Latin rhythms and both players are complementary to each other. As with his other recordings, Khan's solos are not very interesting, and like Larry Coryell, he tries to play too fast. Despite this, they all seem to be having a great time. "Kamarica" is one of the happiest tunes here and contains some phenomenal soloing by Weckl. "Botero People" has a nice relaxed feel and a great bassline, proving that the tunes here are well written with a focus on rhythm rather than just improvisation. Although Badrena's singing is in Spanish, it is pleasant and an integral part of the music even if you don't know what he's saying. "Mama Chola" is the most intense piece here and features more great soloing by Weckl, who not only helps hold the band together, but actually manages to carry it for the majority of the session.

 Some 5 years after "CASA LOCO" had finally been released, Steve, Anthony, and Manolo made the commitment to record together again, this time, Eyewitness was joined by Dave Weckl on drums. The new compositions took the work the band had done with the extended song form to new heights. Because of the promotional power of GRP Records, this album reached the most people worldwide during the CD Age.

 Steve Khan is a bit of an enigma in jazz guitar circles, as he neither clearly succeeds nor fails in any of his efforts. This is an exception, however, as the presence of Dave Weckl makes for one of the best GRP releases of the '90s. Khan's sound is still a bit weak, but his compositions are strong, as is the amazing percussion of Manolo Badrena. A longtime collaborator with Khan, Badrena seems to have every type of percussion ever made and uses them all effectively. Weckl thrives on the Latin rhythms and both players are complementary to each other. As with his other recordings, Khan's solos are not very interesting, and like Larry Coryell, he tries to play too fast. Despite this, they all seem to be having a great time. "Kamarica" is one of the happiest tunes here and contains some phenomenal soloing by Weckl. "Botero People" has a nice relaxed feel and a great bassline, proving that the tunes here are well written with a focus on rhythm rather than just improvisation. Although Badrena's singing is in Spanish, it is pleasant and an integral part of the music even if you don't know what he's saying. "Mama Chola" is the most intense piece here and features more great soloing by Weckl, who not only helps hold the band together, but actually manages to carry it for the majority of the session.

 I read the review from Bass Player magazine and bought the CD because it sounded interesting; all I knew about Steve Khan was his great guitar fills on Steely Dan's Gaucho album.  As soon as you start the CD you know you are in for a ride. I can only describe it as the feeling you would get walking through a dense rain forest - an undercurrent of beauty but you have no idea what to expect.  It's a *very* contemporary jazz album - high end musicians doing their stuff.  Throughout the whole CD there's a fantastic sense of interaction between the players, which is something I really liked.  The bass (Anthony Jackson) and drums (Dave Weckl) (and percussion) are exceptional, very solid playing which also provide a lot of the fluid motion and feel of the tracks - you won't get bored listening to these guys.  Steve Khan's guitar creates a floating spacious wall of sound (a great clean tone!).  It's great combination - the sound is both rhythmic and spacious.  The recording quality is absolutely faultless.  I can see that some people might not like it because the sound is very unique - for this reason it may take a couple of listens to get on the same wavelength.  All I can say is I listen to this CD an *LOT* - I'm actually surprised how much.  My favourites are: "Botero People", "Mama Chola", "Sise", "Silent Screen".

If I had to relinquish my entire music collection with the exception of one cd, Public Access would be the record that I keep! What Steve, Dave, Anthony and Manolo put down during this session is the epitome of what a recording should be. This cd has all the ingredients... clarity! The tuning of the instruments and the mix is flawless! I bought this initially because of Dave Weckl. In my opinion, his best recording ever is here! His precise, surgeon like prowess on drums has to be heard to be comprehended. Yet, his loose phrasing on Blue Zone 41 is perfect for that tune. Nobody but nobody could have put what need to be played down like Dave did here!
Anthony Jackson was the only logical choice here! His phrasing and command of his contrabass shows why he was and is the man for the low end!
I'm usually not one for vocalizing/percussion on a jazz record when you already have a drummer. But, what Manolo Badrena played was very hip and again, perfect for this session. I knew of him by way of Weather Report, but his vocals and his percussion added just the perfect blend of helping make this cd a must own!
Steve's sound and his playing open up a plethora of new things everytime I listen to this record. I wish I could have been in on the recording as it went down. With all due respect to any musician that Steve Khan has ever hired to do a recording... only these 4 gentleman on this cd could have played what the listener has pleasure of hearing here! A COMPLETE RECORDING!!

 According to Steve's web site this is his biggest selling CD.

Track listing:

1 Sisé(Khan, Jackson, Badrena, Weckl, Jordan)(9:06)
2 Blue Zone 41(Steve Khan)(4:45)
3 Kamarica(Khan, Jackson, Badrena, Weckl, Jordan)(8:50)
4 Silent Screen(Steve Khan)(7:06)
5 Mambosa(Steve Khan)(8:20)
6 Butane Elvin(Steve Khan(5:13)
7 Botero People(Khan, Jackson, Badrena, Weckl, Jordan)(7:06)
8 Dedicated to You(Sammy Cahn-Saul Chaplin)(6:22)
9 Mama Chóla(Khan, Jackson, Badrena, Weckl, Jordan)(10:07)

Personnel:

Steve Khan - Guitar
Anthony Jackson - Bass
Dave Weckl - Drums
Maholo Badrena - Percussion

Steely Dan - 1993 "Citizen" 1972 - 1980 [4 CD Box]

Citizen Steely Dan is a four-CD boxed set musical album by Steely Dan, released in 1993. The set is a collection of all of Steely Dan's albums (up to 1993) in chronological order, and also contains a non-album single ("FM (No Static at All)"), a non-album B-side ("Bodhisattva (Live)"), a rare compilation track ("Here at the Western World"), recorded during the sessions for The Royal Scam but released only on the 1978 Greatest Hits, and a previously unreleased demo of "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" (a song from their 1975 album Katy Lied).

The set is not, however, a complete compilation of every track released by Steely Dan up to 1993. Missing are both sides of the band's 1972 debut single ("Dallas" b/w "Sail the Waterway"), neither of which has ever been re-issued on CD. This is due to the band's dislike of the songs and refusal to allow them to be reissued.

Until 1998, this was the only place to find the remastered versions of the Steely Dan albums. However, because the albums were split up irregularly amongst the discs (in some cases with the track order changed), the remastered studio albums were issued in 1998, albeit without bonus tracks.

The first pressing features "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" using the single edit of the song. This version omits the percussive opening for the song. The second pressing of the boxed set features the version from the album although it was reissued without any information noting the change.

Glen Meadows remastered the CD set from the digital masters archived by Donald Fagen, Gary Katz and Roger Nichols in 1982. These digital tapes were prepared because the original analog tapes were in very poor shape. The earliest CD mastering for all the Steely Dan albums in 1985 used these digital tapes but MCA inexplicably used deteriorating analog masters for all later CD pressings until the 1998 remasters. This information was discovered by Roger Nichols in 1991 when he was asked his opinion of the Mobile Fidelity Gold reissues of Aja and Gaucho. Nichols discovered that the "Gaucho CD was even a different speed, about a quarter tone sharper" when compared to the original CD that he was involved in.

The 1993 boxed set remaster was the first time since the originally issued CDs that the albums used the correct source tape.

 Collecting all of Steely Dan's albums in chronological order, plus all of their two or three B-sides and one demo in a four-CD box, Citizen Steely Dan is only worthwhile for the fan replacing their old records. The remastering on the box is exactly the same as the newly upgraded CDs, and everything but the demo is available on other discs.

Track listing

All songs by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen except where noted.

    Disc One: Can't Buy a Thrill (tracks 1-10), Countdown to Ecstasy (tracks 11-16)
    Disc Two: Countdown to Ecstasy (tracks 1-2), Pretzel Logic (tracks 3-13), B-side (track 14), Katy Lied (tracks 15-21)
    Disc Three: Katy Lied (tracks 1-3), The Royal Scam (4-12), non-album single (track 13), Aja (tracks 14-16)
    Disc Four: Aja (tracks 1-4), non-album single (track 5), Gaucho (tracks 6-12), previously unreleased demo (track 13)

 Tracks Listing

 Disc: 1

1. Do It Again - 5:54
2. Dirty Work - 3:08
3. Kings - 3:45
4. Midnite Cruiser - 4:06
5. Only a Fool Would Say That - 2:55
6. Reelin' In the Years - 4:36
7. Fire in the Hole - 3:26
8. Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me) - 4:19
9. Change of the Guard - 3:38
10. Turn That Heartbeat Over Again - 4:58
11. Bodhisattva - 5:17
12. Razor Boy - 3:10
13. The Boston Rag - 3:10
14. Your Gold Teeth - 6:59
15. Show Biz Kids - 5:23
16. My Old School - 5:45

Disc: 2

1. King of the World - 5:00
2. Pearl of the Quarter - 3:49
3. Rikki Don't Lose That Number - 4:07
4. Night by Night - 3:38
5. Any Major Dude Will Tell You - 3:08
6. Barrytown - 3:19
7. East St. Louis Toodle-Do (Duke Ellington, Bubber Miley) - 2:48
8. Parker's Band - 2:43
9. Through with Buzz - 1:32
10. Pretzel Logic - 4:31
11. With a Gun - 2:17
12. Charlie Freak - 2:43
13. Monkey in Your Soul - 2:34
14. Bodhisattva (Live) - 7:41
15. Black Friday - 3:40
16. Bad Sneakers - 3:19
17. Rose Darling - 3:03
18. Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More - 3:13
19. Doctor Wu - 3:54
20. Everyone's Gone to the Movies - 3:44
21. Chain Lightning - 2:59

Disc: 3

1. Your Gold Teeth II - 4:12
2. Any World (That I'm Welcome To) - 3:53
3. Throw Back the Little Ones - 3:13
4. Kid Charlemagne - 4:37
5. The Caves of Altamira - 3:32
6. Don't Take Me Alive - 4:14
7. Sign in Stranger - 4:21
8. The Fez (Becker, Fagen, Paul Griffin) - 3:58
9. Green Earrings - 4:05
10. Haitian Divorce - 5:48
11. Everything You Did - 3:54
12. The Royal Scam - 6:31
13. Here at the Western World - 4:00
14. Black Cow - 5:08
15. Aja - 7:56
16. Peg - 3:55

Disc: 4

1. Deacon Blues - 7:33
2. Home at Last - 5:32
3. I Got the News - 5:04
4. Josie - 4:31
5. FM - 5:05
6. Babylon Sisters - 5:48
7. Hey Nineteen - 5:07
8. Glamour Profession - 7:28
9. Gaucho (Becker, Fagen, Keith Jarrett) - 5:30
10. Time out of Mind - 4:11
11. My Rival - 4:30
12. Third World Man - 5:14
13. Everyone's Gone to the Movies (Demo) - 3:57

Personnel

    Donald Fagen – Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Vocals (background)
    Walter Becker – Bass, Guitar, Harmonica, Trumpet, Bass, Flugelhorn, Keyboards, Vocals
    Jeff Baxter – Guitar, Pedal Steel, Spanish Guitar
    Ray Brown – Bass (Upright)
    Randy Brecker – Trumpet, Flugelhorn
    Larry Carlton – Guitar
    Rick Derringer – Guitar, Slide Guitar
    Steve Gadd – Drums
    Steve Khan – Guitar
    Jeff Mironov – Guitar
    Anthony Jackson – Bass
    Rick Marotta – Drums
    Jeff Porcaro – Drums
    Mark Knopfler – Guitar
    Elliot Randal – Guitar
    Lee Ritenour – Guitar
    Timothy B. Schmit – Vocals (background)
    Wayne Shorter – Flute, Saxophone
    Michael McDonald – Keyboards, Vocals, Vocals (background)
    Joe Sample – Clarinet, Piano (Electric)
    Tom Scott – Clarinet, Flute, Arranger, Conductor, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Lyricon
    Chuck Rainey – Bass
    David Sanborn – Sax (Alto)
    Paul Humphrey – Drums
    Hiram Bullock – Guitar
    Wayne Andre – Trombone
    Jerome Aniton – Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
    Patti Austin – Vocals (background)
    Ben Benay – Guitar (Acoustic)
    Crusher Bennett – Percussion
    Pete Christlieb – Flute, Saxophone
    Gary Coleman – Percussion
    Ronnie Cuber – Sax (Baritone)
    Denny Dias – Guitar, Sitar (Electric)
    Wilton Felder – Bass
    Victor Feldman – Percussion, Marimba, Vibraphone
    Michael Fennelly – Vocals (background)
    Venetta Fields – Vocals (background)
    Bob Findley – Horn
    Chuck Findley – Arranger, Horn, Brass
    Frank Floyd – Vocals (background)
    Gordon Grady – Vocals (background)
    Diva Gray – Vocals (background)
    Jay Graydon – Guitar
    Ed Greene – Drums
    Paul Griffin – Arranger, Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Vocals (background)
    Don Grolnick – Arranger, Keyboards, Clavinet
    Lani Groves – Vocals (background)
    Patricia Hall – Vocals (background)
    Jimmie Haskell – Arranger, Orchestration
    Jim Hodder – Percussion, Drums, Vocals
    Jim Horn – Flute, Saxophone
    Slyde Hyde – Horn, Brass
    Plas Johnson – Flute, Horn, Saxophone
    Royce Jones – Percussion, Vocals, Vocals (background)
    Walter Kane – Clarinet (Bass)
    Howard Kaylan – Vocals (background)
    Jackie Kelso – Flute, Saxophone
    Jim Keltner – Percussion, Drums
    Clydie King – Vocals (background)
    John Klemmer – Horn
    Rebecca Louis – Vocals (background)
    Johnny Mandel – Arranger
    George Marge – Clarinet (Bass)
    Nicky Marrero– Timbales
    Sherlie Mathews – Vocals (background)
    Myrna Matthews – Vocals (background)
    Lew McCreary – Brass
    Leslie Miller – Vocals (background)
    Lanny Morgan – Saxophone
    Rob Mounsey – Synthesizer, Arranger
    Michael Omartian – Piano
    David Palmer – Vocals, Vocals (background)
    Dean Parks – Guitar
    Bill Perkins – Saxophone
    Bernard "Pretty" Purdie – Drums
    Pat Rebillot – Piano (Electric)
    Jerome Richardson – Sax (Tenor)
    James Rolleston – Vocals (background)
    John Rotella – Saxophone
    Zachary Sanders – Vocals (background)
    Valerie Simpson – Vocals (background)
    Casey Syszik – Vocals (background)
    Mark Volman – Vocals (background)
    Florence Warner – Vocals (background)
    Ernie Watts – Saxophone
    Toni Wine – Vocals (background)
    Snooky Young – Flugelhorn

Adam Holzman - 1992 "In a Loud Way"

Adam Holzman (born 15 February 1958, New York City) is an American jazz keyboardist. He is the son of Elektra Records' founder, Jac Holzman.

In the early 1980s, Holzman founded the Fents with Ted Hall.^[2] In 1985, he was hired by Miles Davis to play keyboards on the trumpeter's Tutu album, and stayed with him for four years, eventually becoming his musical director. He can be seen performing in the Davis concert video That's What Happened: Live in Germany 1987. In the early 1990s, he founded the band Mona Lisa Overdrive, which subsequently changed its name to Brave New World due to copyright issues.^[2]
Holzman has performed as a sideman with numerous performers and bands including: Abstract Truth, the Jason Becker Tribute, the Bob Belden Ensemble, Big Horns Bee, Bob's Book Club, Tom Browne, Miles Davis, the Miles Davis Tribute, Cesare Dell’Anna, Ray DeTone, Norman Dozier, Wayne Escoffery, Charles Fambrough, Anton Fig, Robben Ford, Jane Getter, Randy Hall, the Jimi Hendrix Tribute, Robin Kenyatta, Kelvynator, Chaka Khan, Steve Louw, the Teo Macero Project, Ed Maguire, the Mahavishnu Project, Ray Manzarek, Francis M'Bappe, Jason Miles, Marcus Miller, Mark Muller, Shaun Mullins, Takanori Niida, Michel Petrucciani, Kim Plainfield, Lincoln Goines, Twana Rhodes, Wallace Roney, Section 31, Sponge, Steps Ahead, Supa Group, David Taylor, Grover Washington, Jr., Lenny White, Ray Wilson, and Steven Wilson.^[3] Many of these performers he has also produced, arranged and composed for.

We were kinda knocked out when Downbeat gave this disc the full measure near its release date . I had come to equate most highly regarded jazz discs as primarily acoustic (which is by and large still true) . This IS a very electronic date from synth/keyboardist/programmer/pianist/composer Holzman. It's also pretty darn in-the-pocket and grooving. Unlike a lot of its fellow discs led by other artists, it really spreads the gifts of soloing and featuring various folks around quite generously. There's a good bit of acoustic stuff in here as well. Particularly drums, piano and different saxaphones. The songs are quite good too. This album is worth the investment. Adam's clearly a fan of good progressive rock and worked with Miles Davis starting in 1985 (spending four years in his bands) departing his (Miles) musical director in 88/89. This 1993 recording boasts a killer drummer by the name of Dennis Chambers, percussionist Mino Cinelu, Saxaphone great Kenny Garrett, bassist Darryl Jones, and guitarist Jimi Tunnell. Steve logan plays bass on this album as well. This album is funky, varied and upbeat. It's really an Nice CD.

Tracklist

1 No News Is Good News
2 Road Town
3 Hail to the Chief
4 Where Am I?
5 Jane Guitar
6 Pyramid
7 Whoa Nelli
8 Polish Soul Sister
9 Drop Down Daddy
10 Blow Torch Relief Map
11 Global Warming

Personnel :

Adam Holzman - keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Kenny Garrett - alto & soprano saxophones
Jimi Tunnell - guitar, vocoder-guitar
Darryl Jones, Steve Logan - bass
Dennis Chambers - drums
Mino Cinelu - percussion

Bill Connors - 1985 [1990] Step It

This session accented the funk/R&B and rock elements of Connors' arsenal; the eight selections were dominated both by drummer Dave Weckl's prominent backbeats and Connors' riffs and dashing licks, as well as catchy hooks, progressions, and patterns from bassist Tom Kennedy. Such songs as "A Pedal," "Brody," and the title cut weren't melodically sophisticated, but had a bass-heavy structure and quick, animated solos. Although the date is a bit old, its qualities prove a perfect fit on several new adult contemporary and lite-jazz outlets.

Another essential CD for Bill Connors (ex-Return To Forever) fans is "Step It!", which offers prime examples of fluid, legato guitar in a Coltrane-meets-Hendrix, fusion context. Not only is Connors a silky smooth lead player, but his rhythm work is particularly intricate and inspiring. Bassist Tom Kennedy and drummer Dave Weckl also stand out - Kennedy with his poly-rhythmic stylings and Weckl with his energy, feel and panache. Produced by guitarist Steve Khan (who guest solos on "Twinkle"), "Step It!" is a super companion disc to Double Up, and also a great introduction to the work of Connors for the uninitiated. Remarkable fusion from a pioneer who can still deliver excellence.

Tracks Listing

1. Lydia (3:35)
2. A Pedal (8:48)
3. Step It (4:33)
4. Cookies (4:46)
5. Brody (4:15)
6. Twinkle (5:58)
7. Titan (6:37)
8. Flickering Lights (5:07)

Total Time 78:12

Line-up / Musicians

 
- Bill Connors / guitar
- Dave Weckl / drums
- Tom Kennedy / bass
- Steve Khan / guitar (6)

Danny Gottlieb - 1987 "Aquamarine"

Danny Gottlieb - 1987 Aquamarine
 

For a while there in the late 1980s there was a short-lived fusion comeback. The Chick Corea Electrik Band was having some success. The new Mahavishnu band was attracting attention. Musicians such as saxophonist Bill Evans, drummer Dennis Chambers, keyboardist Clifford Carter, bassist Mark Egan and others began to develop a following. Guitarist Allan Holdsworth was making a mark. Soon, however, the record companies clamped down on any creativity coming from this branch of jazz in favor of the now burgeoning "smooth jazz" movement. (Pardon me; I need a moment to gag.) Recording contracts and promotional funds evaporated faster than a bubble on a gas burner.

Danny Gottlieb was among those shortchanged by this corporate attitude. Gottlieb had been part of the very popular Pat Metheny Group and later the reformed Mahavishnu. Along with his musical partner, the wonderful bassist Mark Egan, he had formed the very impressive band Elements. Unfortunately, Aquamarine became one of his few bites of the apple. It is nonetheless a delicious bite.

An infectious semi-Caribbean percussive riff opens the title cut, which is a pleasing ballad powered by the sailing guitar synthesizer of John Abercrombie, Doug Hall's keyboards and Gottlieb's backbeat. Its beautiful melody even makes "Aquamarine" a potential smooth jazz vehicle. (Pardon me; I need another moment to gag.) Luckily, thanks to the players' advanced improvising, that terrible fate does not befall this memorable melody, and in time the ingratiating opening riff returns to keep everything afloat. This isn't deep-sea diving. But a little scuba in the coral reef can make for an exciting outing. The rest of the album ain't chum either.

Tracklist:
1. Aquamarine 
2. Monterey 
3. The Aviary 
4. Alaska 
5. Waterfall 
6. Being 
7. Duet 
8. Upon A Time. 
9. Peace Of Mind

Personnel: Danny Gottlieb (drums), Doug Hall (keyboards, rhythm guitar), John Abercrombie (guitar synthesizer), Cafe (percussion), John McLaughlin, Steve Khan, Joe Satriani, Jeff Mironov (guitars), Mark Egan (bass), Mitchel Forman (keyboards), Bill Evans (sax), Dave Samuels (vibraphone)