Record Reviews

JERRY DE VILLIERS, JR. ~ THE TURNING POINT ARCHIVES TIMELESS MOMENTUM 20141 (Barcode: 094393373414) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1994 - 1995 Released: 2014 This is an archive album documenting the music recorded by the Canadian Fusion group Turning Point, led by guitarist / keyboardist / composer Jerry De Villiers, Jr.Find albums by this artist, which also included as a core members bassist Mathieu CormierFind albums by this artist and drummer Magella CormierFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven studio tracks recorded in 1995 and another seven live tracks (three of which appear also in the studio version) recorded a year earlier, all of which were composed by De Villiers. Two of the studio tracks feature a brass section and the live tracks feature keyboardist Gerry EtkinsFind albums by this artist. The music is a typical guitar fronted Fusion setting, with nice melodic themes performed elegantly and with a lot of sensitivity. The rhythm section does a splendid job, moving the music steadily forward but staying unobtrusively in the background, leaving the center stage to the guitar pyrotechnics. Even on the two tracks that feature the brass arrangements the basic sound of the group remains almost untouched and similar to the rest of the tracks, perhaps since the brass is way back in the mix. De Villiers is obviously an excellent guitarist, versatile and elegant, who plays forcefully yet delicately making a point and not dragging his solos forever. His playing is fluid and clearly virtuosic, but not ostentatious or aggressive. As a composer he shows an ability to weave romantic lyrical themes, which are intelligent and attractive. But his up-tempo themes are also great, full of groove and catchy riffs, which make your body swing. This music is definitely too good to be left forsaken and the decision to release this album is fully justified, under the "better late than never" slogan. This is a memorable piece of Canadian music in general and Fusion in particular, that should be out there for posterity. For Fusion fans the world over, this is definitely worth investigating!

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ANTOINE FAFARD ~ AD PERPETUUM UNICORN 5092 (Barcode: 649906856153) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the third album as a leader by Canadian Fusion bassist / composer Antoine FafardFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with guitarist Jerry De Villiers, Jr.Find albums by this artist and legendary drummer Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians: keyboardist Gerry EtkinsFind albums by this artist, drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Jean-Pierre ZanellaFind albums by this artist appear on selected tracks. The album presents ten original compositions, nine of which are composed by Fafard and one is co-composed by Fafard and De Villiers. Fafard is a veteran Fusion player, who led the Montreal based group Spaced OutFind albums by this artist, which released six albums and a couple of DVDs between 2000 and 2008. Spaced Out was floating somewhere between Fusion and Progressive Rock, but Fafard´s solo albums, first of which was released in 2011, are decidedly more Jazz oriented with focus on improvisation and cooperation with world´s leading Fusion players. Stylistically Fusion is often an extremely limited niche, with most albums in that genre sounding very similar, if not identical, to each other. Of the thousands of Fusion albums recorded since the genre crystallized from the early Jazz-Rock cradle, only a handful are truly inspired, innovative and even fewer are groundbreaking. The main reason is usually the focus on the endless instrumental doodling and show off faster than light soloing, rather than on the musical qualities, melody, harmony, etc. In short most Fusion albums have sadly very little music in them. This album is, I´m happy to say, an exception to the rule in every conceivable aspect. The compositions are all extremely musical, with solid melodies and diverse rhythm patterns, which keep the listener on his toes. The arrangements call for an attentive interplay and split second coordination between the players and the overall ambience of the music is more lyrical than the usual Fusion setting, which often tends to be rather aggressive. Of course there are the individual performances by the musicians, which are all first-class. There are many solo spots for everybody, but those are kept short and intensive leaving the listener wishing for more, rather than praying for the torture to be over with. Colaiuta, as usual, drives the music forcefully and his playing is always phenomenal, second after second. His unique feel and extraterrestrial technique are like the icing on a cake on every album he plays on. The drums "duet" he plays with Husband on one of the tracks is sensational. De Villiers plays some superb guitar licks, but again, does not dominate the proceedings like most Fusion guitarist tend to. Fafard plays tasty, melodic bass lines and his solos are classics of the genre. Overall this is a superb Fusion album, which should make every fan of the genre happy, but also be accessible to more Jazz oriented listeners beyond the strict Fusion circles. Well done indeed!

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ANTOINE FAFARD ~ SPHERE TIMELESS MOMENTUM 20161 (Barcode: 600736547413) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 This is the fourth album by Canadian (resident in UK) bassist / composer Antoine FafardFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with Canadian guitarist Jerry De Villiers, Jr.Find albums by this artist and British keyboardist / drummer extraordinaire Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, six of which were composed by Fafard and three were co-composed by him and De Villiers. Jazz-Rock Fusion has been the most disappointing and stagnant music genre since the turn of the Millennium, to the dismay of the hordes of the genre´s true fans and die-hard blind followers. Therefore this album is a breath of fresh air, clearly pointing out that Fusion is not dead yet and creativity is still possible within its realms. This album combines the two vital ingredients every Fusion album must have in order to be successful: great tunes and virtuosic performances. Both are present here in abundance. Fafard´s compositions are all beautifully melodic and rhythmically interesting, and most importantly diverse enough to create a cohesive flow but also to avoid sounding like one long stream of tunes almost identical to each other, which sadly happens all too often on Fusion albums. Of course the playing is also crucial and although there are only three musicians here, they often sound like an entire orchestra. Fafard plays wonderfully melodic and yet funky bass, which provides the basic layer on which De Villiers plays his solos, building up climax after climax with his virtuosic strings of notes. But it is Husband who really glues the entire musical fabric together both with his incredible keyboards vistas, which create a symphonic effect, and of course drives the whole vehicle with his powerful yet highly sensitive drumming. In fact this is one of the most impressive recordings by Husband which I have heard lately and his contributions here are school book examples what Fusion is all about. This album proudly follows in the steps of its predecessor, taking Fafard´s work even further towards the recognition he truly deserves as composer and instrumentalist. It is a soaring, exhilarating musical experience from start to finish and definitely deserves the rank of one of the best Fusion albums in a very long time. It is also great to hear Husband in such great form again! Thank you my friend for your playing on this album, which presents your many talents at their utmost, from the delightful delicacy on acoustic piano to your Titanic strength on the drum kit. For all Fusion fans, this album is the redemption and the escape from boredom you have all been waiting for!

Updated: 21/09/2016Posted: 21/09/2016

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