Record Reviews

RETURN TO FOREVER ~ THE MOTHERSHIP RETURNS EAR MUSIC 4029759135654 (Barcode: 4029759135654) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is a 2CD live album documenting the 2011 tour of the legendary American Fusion band Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist, which for this occasion was expanded to a quintet and included in addition to the three veteran members: keyboardist Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, bassist Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist and drummer Lenny WhiteFind albums by this artist also guitarist Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist and French violinist Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, several including a medley of two tunes, mostly composed by Corea, but including also material by Clarke, White and Ponty. Although recorded live the album offers an excellent sound quality. There are no surprises whatsoever as far as the music is concerned, since the material includes mostly familiar "hits", which RTF originally recorded a long time ago and performed countless times live since. There was no ambition here to offer new material or change anything in the "golden" formula, which proved to be successful in the past. Even the presence of Ponty, who although also deeply rooted in the Fusion idiom, is stylistically somewhat different due to his European ancestry, makes no difference and proves that he was completely Americanized to fit the pattern of RTF. Gambale shows some unique moments, but again he completely fits the bill. Having said that, one has of course to remember that these are some of the most revered Fusion pros around and they can play like a dream, which they do all the way, soloing extensively. The music is also excellent, although a bit tattered by repeated use, but still sounds great and humming the familiar melodies is always a great fun. The many RTF fans around the world will not miss the opportunity to hear these guys again for sure. In short this is like eating your favorite ice cream – sweet familiar taste and great comfort but still Déjà vu ;)

Updated: 25/07/2020Posted: 25/07/2020

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ A GUITAR SUPREME: GIANT STEPS IN FUSION GUITAR MASCOT 7102 (Barcode: 8712725710226) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 This is the 1st project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. Dedicated to the Jazz Giant John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, this ambitious project works around the concept of a fixed rhythm section (Tom BrechtleinFind albums by this artist – drums, Larry GoldingsFind albums by this artist – organ, Alphonso JohnsonFind albums by this artist – bass and Jeff Richman – guitar) and a group of leading Fusion guitar players, who are the soloist (Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist and others). Twelve compositions written or often played by Coltrane are given here a completely new treatment in the best of the Fusion tradition. Some of the music remind me of the fabulous John McLaughlin / Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist collaboration Love Devotion SurrenderFind albums with this title, which also paid tribute to Coltrane. Definitely a must for all younger Coltrane fans and basically for all fusion fans - whatever their fusion taste may be this is much too good to be ignored.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ THE ROYAL DAN MASCOT 7189 (Barcode: 8712725718925) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the 4th project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. Dedicated this time to the fabulous music of Steely DanFind albums by this artist – the band that gave us all some of the best crafted and most sophisticated tunes ever. The format is again a fixed band (Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist – drums, Jimmy HaslipFind albums by this artist – bass, Peter WolfFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Ernie WattsFind albums by this artist – sax) with a long gallery of Fusion guitarists (Robben FordFind albums by this artist, Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist and others). The electrifying performances seem to go on forever and as the music is obviously excellent, the entire project is just one great heap of fun. For Fusion heads and guitar lovers this is obviously a must have, but most music loving folks should have a feast with this stuff.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ VISIONS OF AN INNER MOUNTING APOCALYPSE MASCOT 7117 (Barcode: 8712725711728) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is the 2nd project in the series of Fusion tributes, conceived, produced and arranged by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist. An entire generation of contemporary fusion guitar players pays tribute to their divine master – John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his band Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. This ambitious project works out like a dream (a wet dream for fusion fans for sure). Ten compositions by McLaughlin, written for and performed with Mahavishnu Orchestra, are given here a new treatment. Each of the tracks features a different guitarist and the list reads like a who’s who of fusion: Mike SternFind albums by this artist, Steve MorseFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist, David FiuczynskiFind albums by this artist, etc. The accompanying rhythm section of Vinnie CalaiutaFind albums by this artist – drums, Kai EckhardtFind albums by this artist – bass and Mitchel FormanFind albums by this artist – keyboards is the backbone of the project and carries the load splendidly. Ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra violinist Jerry GoodmanFind albums by this artist adds his magic touch on several tracks, closing the full circle, so to speak. Definitely a must for all Mahavishnu Orchestra fans and basically for all fusion fans - whatever their fusion taste may be this is much too good to be ignored.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ VIVA CARLOS!: A SUPERNATURAL MARATHON CELEBRATION MASCOT 7210 (Barcode: 8712725721024) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 5th Fusion tribute album produced by Jeff RichmanFind albums by this artist (see the earlier John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist and Steely DanFind albums by this artist Fusion tributes). Sticking to the same formula, the producer sets up a “house band” (this time including Peter WolfFind albums by this artist – keyboards, Abe LaborielFind albums by this artist – bass, Dave WecklFind albums by this artist – drums and Luis ConteFind albums by this artist – percussion) and matches it with some of the best Fusion guitar players (this time Robben FordFind albums by this artist, Frank GambaleFind albums by this artist, Albert LeeFind albums by this artist, Pat MartinoFind albums by this artist, Mike SternFind albums by this artist and others). As the title suggests, the subject matter this time is the music of Carlos SantanaFind albums by this artist. Since this formula worked out splendidly on the previous four albums, there is no reason to suspect that things would go wrong this time, and indeed they don’t. The only problem might have been the choice of material from the vast SantanaFind albums by this artist repertoire, but fortunately only the best tunes were selected, all of them from his early and most fruitful years. The various guitar players, rather then to imitate Santana’s guitar sound and special technique, play in their own individual way, taking the music places often quite different from the origin. The entire album works out beautifully as a whole and Fusion fans (and guitar freaks) should have a field day with this stuff.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend