Record Reviews

TOTO BLANKE ~ ELECTRIC CIRCUS CHICKADISC 001 (Barcode: 5901549197624) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of the second album by German Jazz-Rock Fusion guitarist / composer Toto BlankeFind albums by this artist, recorded by a superb trio, which consisted of Blanke, Dutch keyboardist / composer Jasper Van`t HofFind albums by this artist and Finnish drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist. The trio later adopted the album´s title as their stage name and recorded a few albums together later on. American bassist Dave KingFind albums by this artist plays on four tracks and the album´s co-producer Ulli A. RuetzelFind albums by this artist plays piano on one track. The album presents seven original compositions, six of which were composed by Blanke and one by Van`t Hof. The music presented here is an extraordinary example of European Jazz-Rock Fusion at its best, which is characterized by complex melodies, elegance and sophistication, rather than endless instrumental doodling which dominated Fusion across the pond. The music is multi-layered, spacey, funky, and sometimes even ventures into almost Free territory; in short it bursts with ideas and eschews repeating worn-out formulas. Although Blanke was the leader and the main composer, the album in fact features the work of Van`t Hof as the primary instrumentalist, both as the soloist and the musician who provides the background layers upon which the music is glued together. Van`t Hof´s limitless imagination is at its absolute most prolific best herein. Blanke, a very original and plainly "different" guitar player also produces some amazing ventures on this album, mostly unconventional both stylistically and as far as the sounds he uses for his instrument. Vesala, one of Europe´s best and most original drummers, known mostly for his Free Jazz activities, plays some incredible drum parts on this album, proving his versatility and ability to adapt to any environment. He stays relatively in the background here, but listening to his work is very educational and of course aesthetically pleasing. Overall this is one of the great Fusion albums which are almost completely forgotten and the fact that is reissued forty years after it was recorded is a miracle in every respect. This album is a must to every true Fusion fan anywhere on this planet and hopefully it will be rediscovered, as the music deserves it in every respect. This release marks the start of a new ChickadiscFind albums on this label label, which is owned by the Polish GADFind albums on this label Records label, and promises to unearth many more amazing albums lost in the tides of time. Hats off as usual!

Updated: 21/03/2017Posted: 21/03/2017

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