Record Reviews
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  | GINGER BAKER / AIR FORCE ~ AIR FORCE
LEMON 022 (Barcode: 5013929762220) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2004
1st album by the legendary ensemble Air ForceFind albums by this artist, formed by drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist following the collapse of the two Rock super-groups he was a member of: CreamFind albums by this artist and Blind FaithFind albums by this artist. Baker formed the ensemble to pursue the music he was truly interested in, which included Jazz and African Music. He managed to persuade a large number of British luminaries to join forces in this ambitious project, creating a first of its kind Jazz-Rock-World Fusion ensemble. The list of the participants reads like a who´s who of the British music scene at the time and includes: Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (organ and vocals) and Rick GrechFind albums by this artist (bass) – both ex-Blind Faith, Graham BondFind albums by this artist, Denny LaineFind albums by this artist, Chris WoodFind albums by this artist, the great Harold McNairFind albums by this artist and Baker´s revered teacher and legendary British Jazz drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist. The first album was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall and was originally released as a double LP. The music is a wonderful mixture of Jazz, Rock and World Music, performed with passion and virtuosity. The lengthy tracks allow for extended instrumental improvisations and the two drummers have ample opportunity to engage in mighty duels. In retrospect the album is visionary and educational, allowing a glimpse at a time when musical dreams were realized. This pioneering effort is a wonderful legacy for generations to come and includes many unforgettable moments. Unavailable for decades, this CD reissue is a wonderful opportunity to get familiar with a piece of musical legacy, which remains untouched by time. Absolutely not to be missed!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLIND FAITH ~ LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
LONDON CALLING 5056 (Barcode: 5053792505616) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2020
The British supergroup Blind FaithFind albums by this artist existed briefly for just a few months in 1969, but remains an icon of Classic Rock to this very day. Guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist (ex-CreamFind albums by this artist), vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (ex-TrafficFind albums by this artist) and bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist (ex-FamilyFind albums by this artist) recorded just one legendary album and then went on a short European tour followed by an American tour, and then disbanded.
This album is a new release of one of several bootlegs recorded during the a.m. tours, and is a bootleg of the bootlegs, as the cover work simply copes two earlier bootleg covers. The title is even more misleading, since Blind Faith never actually performed in Los Angeles, and this album presents the material recorded during their Oakland performance and other material, which of course was previously released.
But bootlegging apart, the music is of course fantastic, and even the sound quality is acceptable, considering the circumstances. Clapton’s lengthy guitar solos are a reminder of the Cream days, Winwood’s heartwrenching vocals and excellent keyboards playing are just right on, Baker is an unstoppable drumming machine and Grech, although low in the mix, is supporting amicably. In short there is everything a hardcore guitar freaks and Classic Rock addicts really love.
Overall, although there is nothing new here, if you don’t have an earlier copy of this bootleg, it is an essential piece of music history.
Side Note
Obiterdictum Ltd, a company based in Cyprus (oh well you know the story… copyright laws and legal issues) releases mostly live recorded radio broadcasts from the 1960s on and offers an amazing source of music which was never officially released by some of the best Classic Rock and Jazz artists. The catalogue offers five hundred releases, which is an absolute treasure chest of music history, often appearing for the first time.
Although the sound quality and sometimes also music quality range from absolutely brilliant to pretty poor, most of the material is surely listenable, especially after being remastered recently, and more importantly offers music which is not available elsewhere.
The company releases the albums under several sub-labels: Air CutsFind albums on this label, EchoesFind albums on this label, Hi HatFind albums on this label, HotspurFind albums on this label, InterferenceFind albums on this label, KeyholeFind albums on this label, KlondikeFind albums on this label, Live On VinylFind albums on this label, London CallingFind albums on this label, OrbitFind albums on this label, Rox VoxFind albums on this label and Sound StageFind albums on this label. There is no ironclad logic as to what material appears on which label, except perhaps some internal considerations by the Obiterdictum owners.
Approach with caution, but keep in mind that some of these releases are absolutely brilliant!
| | Updated: 04/04/2021Posted: 04/04/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLIND FAITH ~ LONDON HYDE PARK 1969
SANCTUARY 0090 (Barcode: 5050749500908) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005
Captured live in front of 100,000 (or more) people gathered in London’s Hyde Park, here is the world’s first “super group”, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist, playing their debut gig on June 7th, 1969. Surely a momentous occasion and a premiere piece of Rock’s history, this footage is seen here for the first time in its entirety. The group existed for just a very brief period of time and left as its legacy just one eponymous album, but its historical importance stretches way beyond that. Blind Faith was a proof that greatly talented musicians can work together, in spite of their different backgrounds and experiences, creating momentous music. The “super group” phenomenon would become ever so popular in the 1970s, but the pioneering effort that was Blind Faith would forever stay in our collective memory as one of Rock’s giant steps. The collective talents of guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist represented the formative years and experiences of British Rock in the 1960s. They played in some of the most important bands of the 1960s: Spencer Davis GroupFind albums by this artist, Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, TrafficFind albums by this artist and FamilyFind albums by this artist – all icons and remarkable Rock achievers. The music they created together in Blind Faith is (especially in retrospect) quite surprising and different that anything done before. Anticlimactic and relaxed, it allowed them to take a much-deserved break from the emotional (and physical) extremities they all experienced with their former groups. The change is most evident and personalized by Clapton, who left behind the high-volume, heavy, fuzz saturated guitar style he used with Cream and dramatically changed it into a subdued, relaxed and laid-back guitar playing, which was to be his new “thing”, as evident on his recordings from that moment on. He was still one of the best players around, but simply not trying to prove it any more. Winwood’s vocals, dramatic and soulful as always, were of course the group’s trademark and here he reached maturity (in spite of his young age) for the first time. Baker’s drumming is inventive, as always, but again the relaxed atmosphere allows for his incredibly melodic playing to he really heard. Grech is solid and supportive all the way, with his elegance and sensibility at their best. But of course not everything is perfect here – the gig was played in the midst of the recordings for the album and the material is obviously still being in the “working” phase, with charming imperfection and numerous glitches. Nevertheless it does work charmingly and listening to this stuff almost 40 years later still gives me the shivers. What a teat! Dolby Digital Stereo Sound, 73 minutes.
| | | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FAMILY ~ A SONG FOR ME / ANYWAY...
BGO 854 (Barcode: 5017261208545) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2009
3rd and 4th albums by the fantastic British Prog band FamilyFind albums by this artist, one of the most imaginative, sophisticated and excellent bands of the 1970s. Formed by vocalist Roger ChapmanFind albums by this artist and guitarist John WhitneyFind albums by this artist, who also were responsible for writing the band´s exceptional material, the original lineup included also saxophonist Jim KingFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist and drummer Rob TownsendFind albums by this artist. This lineup recorded two exceptional albums: "Music In A Doll`s HouseFind albums with this title" and "Family EntertainmentFind albums with this title", which are considered as Prog masterpieces. Following the departure of Grech (to form Blind FaithFind albums by this artist) and later King, they were replaced by bassist John WeiderFind albums by this artist and multi-instrumentalist Poli PalmerFind albums by this artist respectively. Palmer´s contributions on vibraphone, flute and piano expanded the band´s sound considerably, adding subtle Jazzy nuances to the already intricate musical amalgam the band produced. Chapman´s unique vocal qualities, which had absolutely no rivalry on the British scene, combined with the superb instrumental backing turned Family into an absolute marvel, which has stayed unchallenged for the last 40 years. The new lineup recorded the two albums included here in rapid succession, using 4 live tracks on the second album to speed up the recording process, which ultimately turned out to be the only live material ever formally released by the band. The quality of the songwriting, as well as the extended instrumental work, is staggering and completely uncompromised by the passage of time. This is the Holy Grail of early Prog, regardless the fact that most Prog historians and music critics often fail to recognize the band´s contribution to the genre. This remastered edition spiced up with many bonus tracks is a must to any collector of Prog albums, as no collection can be complete without them. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAROLD MCNAIR ~ THE FENCE
HUX 095 (Barcode: 682970000954) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007
Saxophonist / flautist / composer Harold McNairFind albums by this artist has been one of the greatest (and sadly unsung) heroes of the British Jazz scene. A brilliant instrumentalist he was one of the busiest studio musicians and took part in countless recording sessions, including those by famous Rock acts. He was a permanent member of DonovanFind albums by this artist’s group and recorded many albums with him. Of course he was also active on the Jazz scene, both as a leader and sideman. He recorded several albums, of which this is the last released while he was still alive, shortly before his life was tragically cut short by lung cancer at a ridiculously young age. His last eponymous album was released posthumously. This beautiful album was recorded with Harold’s musician friends and admirers, all great stars and Jazz heroes themselves: Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and Alan BranscombeFind albums by this artist on piano, Colin GreenFind albums by this artist on guitar, Rick GrechFind albums by this artist and Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist on bass and Terry CoxFind albums by this artist and Tony CarrFind albums by this artist on drums. Harold plays saxes and flute – my preferred instrument in his hands. The music has a slight Caribbean feel, and includes one original composition by Harold. It’s difficult for me to shed the nostalgic attachment to this album, as Harold has been one of my favorite musicians for a very time, but I think the albums stands the test of time beautifully and should be enjoyed by most Jazz loving people around the globe. Bliss!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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