Record Reviews

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS ~ NEW BLOOD WOUNDED BIRD 1780 (Barcode: 664140178021) ~ USA ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2005 5th album by US Jazz-Rock icons Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, which marks the departure of lead singer David Clayton-ThomasFind albums by this artist (replaced by Jerry FisherFind albums by this artist) and a period of frequent personnel changes in the group. In spite of the negative (to say the least) critics and dwindling sales, BS&T were till a superb group, which was completely unparalleled in their ability to mix rock rhythms with intricate jazzy arrangements and deliver time after time some uplifting and spirited performances. Fisher handles the vocals very well and although his vocal abilities lack the magic of David’s timbre, he handles the songs with taste and feeling. Swedish guitarist Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist adds a rockier dimension and the brass players kick ass as usual. Call me a sucker, but I just love this stuff. Since ColumbiaFind albums on this label lacked the brains (and balls) to reissue this stuff, I am grateful to Wounded BirdFind albums on this label for bringing this superb music back to life and circulation. It has not dated a bit and still gives me the thrills, and I hope others can rejoice as well.

Updated: 18/04/2020Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ THE FRONT IS BREAKING LOVE 188 ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Apart from Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist, Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist is probably the most well known Finnish jazz musician outside of his native country, due to his US residency and numerous recordings around the world. Deeply influenced by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, he started his jazz adventure playing free jazz in cahoots with Edward Vesala and Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist as early as 1964 (which was about the time European free jazz was developing fiercely). Later on he moved away from free jazz and concentrated more on structured and carefully composed music. By the time this album was recorded, the jazz world was deeply involved in the Jazz-Rock Fusion explosion, following Miles DavisFind albums by this artist’ pioneering work in the field and later on groups like John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist’s Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Inspired by these developments, Koivistoinen decided to record a fusion album, for which he composed the music. The carefully assembled a dreamy combo to record the music, in which he gathered the best Scandinavian musicians from both the jazz and Progressive Rock genres, including Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist (drums) and Olli AhvenlahtiFind albums by this artist (piano) – Finland / jazz, Jukka TolonenFind albums by this artist (guitar – Tasavallan PresidenttiFind albums by this artist) and Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist (bass – WigwamFind albums by this artist) – Finland / Prog and Wlodek GulkowskiFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist (guitar – Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist) - Sweden (well Gulkowski was a Polish refugee) / Fusion. The result is surely one of the best, most sophisticated and musically uplifting fusion albums ever recorded and an absolute must for any fan of the genre. This was to be the only fusion album Koivistoinen would record, as he returned to “pure” jazz soon after.

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MADE IN SWEDEN ~ MADE IN ENGLAND ESOTERIC 2169 (Barcode: 5013929726925) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2009 4th album by the excellent Swedish Jazz-Rock trio Made In SwedenFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist with bassist Bo HaggstromFind albums by this artist and drummer Tommy BorguddFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, this album was recorded in the UK as a result of a friendship between the trio and the British band ColosseumFind albums by this artist. It was produced by Colosseum bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist and the superb arrangements were written by another British legend, Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist. It is an excellent album from start to finish, but unfortunately it failed to make any significant impact at the time of its release, which led to the group disbanding. Wadenius assumed the lead guitar chair with Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist soon after. The album is a classic of the genre and a great example of the superb music made in Scandinavia at the time. Definitely worth investigating!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PEKKA POHJOLA ~ THE MATHEMATICIAN`S AIR DISPLAY ESOTERIC 2177 (Barcode: 5013929727724) ~ FINLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2010 3rd album by Finnish bassist / composer Pekka PohjolaFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest Prog musicians of all times, who was a founding member of the legendary Finnish Prog band WigwamFind albums by this artist. Accompanied by the top European Jazz and Prog players of the time: Swedish guitarist Georg WadeniusFind albums by this artist, Polish keyboardist Wlodek GulkowskiFind albums by this artist, French drummer Pierre MoerlenFind albums by this artist, Finnish drummer Vesa AaltonenFind albums by this artist and of course British guitarist Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist and his sister singer Sally OldfieldFind albums by this artist, the band performs music composed by Pohjola, which stylistically moves between Prog and Jazz-Rock Fusion. Pohjola´s extraordinary talent, both as a bassist and especially as a composer, were already magnificent at the time and would accompany him throughout his entire life, resulting in magnificent achievements, cut short only by his premature and tragic death in 2008. In retrospect this early effort is a milestone for European Prog and firmly establishes the superb Finnish contribution to the genre. This album was one of the very few Finnish albums to be released also in UK (on the VirginFind albums on this label label), shortly after it was released in his home country on the legendary LoveFind albums on this label label. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend