Record Reviews

CACTUS ~ TEMPLE OF BLUES CLEOPATRA 889466546327 (Barcode: 889466546327) ~ USA ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album attributed to the legendary American Rock band CactusFind albums by this artist, but is in fact a tribute to the band. Although the drummer Carmine AppiceFind albums by this artist, Cactus founding member, plays on all the tracks and produced the album, Cactus guitarist Jim McCartyFind albums by this artist plays on a couple of tracks, and the songs are associated with Cactus repertoire, that’s all that connects this album to Cactus. Does it disturb me? Not one bit! A bunch of excellent American rockers participate on this album, like vocalist Jim StapleyFind albums by this artist, guitarists Joe BonamassaFind albums by this artist, Ted NugentFind albums by this artist, Pat TraversFind albums by this artist and Fernando PerdomoFind albums by this artist, and many others, playing their butts off and spiritually the music is definitely close to the Cactus spirit. The album presents fourteen tracks and one bonus track, which is an alternate version of one of the songs. The music is loud and heavy, as appropriate for the occasion, the musicians can play and Stapley delivers excellent vocal parts, the familiar tunes sound, well… familiar and bring on fond memories. As far as I am concerned this album is a proper tribute, not just an attempt to “ride” on the band’s name / fame. This album will not replace any Cactus album in my collection (I have them all of course), but it can co-exist nicely on the shelf. Overall, this is a great Blues-Rock album, which brings fond memories of the legendary Cactus, one of the greatest American Rock bands ever. On top of the great songs, there is plenty of superb guitar solos, strong vocals and the music simply kicks butt, much due to Appice’s superb drumming, which is still absolutely convincing. Love every minute of this!

Updated: 30/08/2024Posted: 30/08/2024

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FUSION SYNDICATE ~ A SPEEDWAY ON SATURN`S RINGS PURPLE PYRAMID 4022 (Barcode: 889466402227) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 - 2023 Released: 2023 This is the second album by the Fusion SyndicateFind albums by this artist, a brainchild of American guitarist / composer / producer Fernando PerdomoFind albums by this artist, who assembled a group of Fusion / Prog superstars to record (mostly) his compositions with various lineups, which change from track to track. The collective lineup includes guitarists Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist and Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Rick WakemanFind albums by this artist and Brian JacksonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jah WobbleFind albums by this artist and Alphonso JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Chester ThompsonFind albums by this artist, among others. The album presents eight tracks recorded in late 2022 and early 2023. The album also presents four bonus tracks produced and composed by bassist / composer Billy SherwoodFind albums by this artist, which originate from the debut eponymous album by Fusion Syndicate from 2012, which is difficult to find these days. It features such Fusion giants like bassist Jimmy HaslipFind albums by this artist, guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, violinist Jerry GoodmanFind albums by this artist, drummer Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist and others. Although featuring excellent musicians, the album has nothing new to offer musically and has no coherent concept per se. There is plenty of excitement and excellent soloing by the participants, as expected, but sadly it confirms the notion that Fusion, following a relatively brief period of creativity and Artistic productivity during the Golden Decade (1965-1975) has been mostly dormant, if not dead since. Overall, this is a well-played typical Fusion album, which adds nothing new to the genre’s illustrious past, but offers a pleasant listening experience to the genre’s hard to die fans.

Updated: 08/12/2023Posted: 08/12/2023

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FUSION SYNDICATE ~ BEAUTIFUL HORIZON PURPLE PYRAMID 4685 (Barcode: 889466468520) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 - 2023 Released: 2023 This is the third album by the Fusion SyndicateFind albums by this artist, a brainchild of American guitarist / composer / producer Fernando PerdomoFind albums by this artist, who assembled a group of Fusion / Prog superstars to record (mostly) his compositions with various lineups, which change from track to track. The collective lineup includes guitarists John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist and Robby KriegerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, bassists Jah WobbleFind albums by this artist and Alphonso JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Chester ThompsonFind albums by this artist, among others. The album presents seven tracks, all original compositions by Perdomo. The album also presents three bonus tracks produced and composed by bassist / composer Billy SherwoodFind albums by this artist, which originate from the debut eponymous album by Fusion Syndicate from 2012, which is difficult to find these days. It features such Fusion giants like bassist Percy JonesFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist and others. These bonus tracks were newly remastered and with the four bonus tracks added to the “A Speedway On Saturn`s RingsFind albums with this title” album, constitute a reissue of the debut album. Although featuring excellent musicians, the album has nothing new to offer musically and has no coherent concept per se. There is plenty of excitement and excellent soloing by the participants, as expected, but sadly it confirms the notion that Fusion, following a relatively brief period of creativity and Artistic productivity during the Golden Decade (1965-1975) has been mostly dormant, if not dead since. Overall, this is a well-played typical Fusion album, which adds nothing new to the genre’s illustrious past, but offers a pleasant listening experience to the genre’s hard to die fans.

Updated: 11/12/2023Posted: 11/12/2023

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