Record Reviews

SPIRIT ~ SON OF SPIRIT / FARTHER ALONG BGO 0644 (Barcode: 5017261206442) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2004 This is a reissue of two albums by the seminal American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist. Those are the second and third albums released by the MercuryFind albums on this label Records label, following the five albums the group released on OdeFind albums on this label and EpicFind albums on this label labels. "Son Of SpiritFind albums with this title" was mostly a collection of ten songs recorded during the sessions held in early 1975. These sessions, produced such an abundance of material that it did not fit on the 2LP album "Spirit of `76", which was its predecessor, and was used to create this follow up album. The music was recorded by guitarist / composer Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, who wrote almost all the songs and played most of the instruments, assisted only by Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist on drums. It emphasized California´s superb songwriting and spectacular guitar playing, often compared to that of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist. The album is a masterpiece of late Psychedelic Rock. California used novel (at the time) studio techniques and completely unprecedented use of multi-layered sound effects and other studio paraphernalia. It still sounds absolutely innovative today, well over four decades later. "Farther AlongFind albums with this title" was recorded by an almost reunited lineup of Spirit, which included apart from California and Cassidy also original members, John LockeFind albums by this artist on keyboards and Mark AndesFind albums by this artist on vocals and bass (missing only Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist from the original lineup), with Matt AndesFind albums by this artist on vocals and guitar, as well as a bunch of guest musicians. Orchestral arrangements including horn and string sections were also used on some of the songs. The material includes twelve songs, all but one new with just one remake of an old song. As usual all the songs are originals, mostly by California or co-composed by the group members. The overall sound and atmosphere are a return to the classic Spirit albums from the first period and offers some of the best American Rock even created, and these fine musicians performing together are simply unbeatable. Overall this is Classic Rock stuff that nobody makes today, hence an absolute must to any serious Rock fan and record collector!

Updated: 17/09/2020Posted: 17/09/2020

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ FUTURE GAMES / SPIRIT OF 84 BGO 0657 (Barcode: 5017261206572) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1976 - 1984 Released: 2005 This is a reissue of two albums by the seminal American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist. Those are the last two of the five albums released by the MercuryFind albums on this label Records label, following the five albums the group released on OdeFind albums on this label and EpicFind albums on this label labels. The albums are separated by seven years of hiatus, which characterized most of the late years if the group´s career. In between these two albums Spirit released the "The Adventures Of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy In Potato LandFind albums with this title" album in 1981, which included material recorded in 1972 and 1973 and was partly re-recorded in 1981. "Future GamesFind albums with this title", originally released in 1977, was practically a solo album by guitarist / composer Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, who wrote almost all the songs and played most of the instruments, assisted only by Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist on drums and a few unspecified guests. It emphasized California´s superb songwriting and spectacular guitar playing, often compared to that of Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, who is given a tribute by including the Bob DylanFind albums by this artist´s "All Along The Watchtower" all time classic associated with the Godly version performed by Hendrix. The album is a masterpiece of late Psychedelic Rock, presenting twenty-two short songs creating a fascinating Sci-Fi like story. California used novel (at the time) studio techniques and completely unprecedented use of multi-layered sound effects and other studio paraphernalia. It still sounds absolutely innovative today, well over four decades later. "Spirit Of 84Find albums with this title", released as "The Thirteenth DreamFind albums with this title" outside of the US, was recorded by a reunited lineup of Spirit, which included apart from California and Cassidy also original members Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist on vocals and guitar, John LockeFind albums by this artist on keyboards and Mark AndesFind albums by this artist on vocals and bass, as well as a bunch of guest musicians. The original lineup was reunited for the first time since the recording of the classic "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. SardonicusFind albums with this title" album in 1970 (hence the title). The material includes several remakes of old songs from the first four albums by the group as well as a few new songs, recorded "live in the studio". Although obviously opportunistic / nostalgia based, this is still some of the best American Rock even created, and these fine musician performing together are simply unbeatable. Overall this is Classic Rock stuff that nobody makes today, hence an absolute must to any serious Rock fan and record collector!

Updated: 12/09/2020Posted: 12/09/2020

CD 2 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

	GONG ~ LIVE ON TV 1990 CODE 90 1 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Fantastic performance by the original members of Gong reunited for the first time for a special TV program dedicated to the group. Many favorites of the classic Gong songs get a new treatment here and the humor and brilliance are present as always.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	CARAVAN ~ LIVE 1990 CODE 90 2 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene A memorable recording of this legendary band reunited for the first time for a TV program in 1990 dedicated to the Canterbury Prog scene. Great sound quality and the group proves to be in formidable form enjoying every minute of it.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ IT SHALL BE: THE ODE & EPIC RECORDINGS 1968-1972 ESOTERIC 2619 (Barcode: 5013929471948) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1972 Released: 2018 This wonderful box set collects the recordings by the seminal American Classic Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist, formed in 1967 by guitarist Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist which also included his stepfather drummer Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John LockeFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark AndesFind albums by this artist and vocalist / percussionist Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist. This original lineup recorded the first four studio albums by the group. This 5 CDs Box Set includes the first five studio albums recorded by the group ("SpiritFind albums with this title", "The Family That Plays TogetherFind albums with this title", "ClearFind albums with this title", "Twelve Dreams Of Dr. SardonicusFind albums with this title" and "FeedbackFind albums with this title") originally released on the OdeFind albums on this label and EpicFind albums on this label labels as well as a plethora of bonus material that more than doubles the total playing time and includes the Soundtrack of the film "The Model Shop", alternate mixes, outtakes and A & B sides of singles. Some of the bonus tracks included here were initially included on the 1991 compilation "Time Circle (1968-1972)Find albums with this title", which was by far not complete. All the tracks in this Box Set were newly remastered. Spirit was a completely unique phenomenon on the American Rock scene, light years ahead of its time, amalgamating Rock, Psychedelia and early Jazz-Rock Fusion in a way no other group managed to do before or since. With a strong Jazzy undercurrent and superb writing talents of California and Ferguson, they created a body of music that remains completely innovative to this very day. Combined with their excellent instrumental abilities, the group soared into previously uncharted territory with grace and surprising (for their young age) authority. The aesthetic aura of the first four albums, which is astonishingly coherent in spite of their diversity, remains as one of Classic Rock´s all time highlights. The Jazz influence, brought into the group by Cassidy, who was twenty years older that the rest of the group´s members, was especially unique. Spirit, although pioneering Jazz-Rock Fusion, did it in a very subtle way and incorporated the Jazzy feel into the overall Rock ambience, rather than moving into mostly instrumental Jazz-Rock Fusion, which characterized most other representatives of the idiom. In retrospect the music included in this Box Set is completely timeless and lost absolutely nothing of its grace and beauty over the years. This comprehensive collection of the group´s early material is beyond reproach and the remastered sound makes listening to the music a delightful experience. It is of course an essential piece of Rock history, which earns it an honorable place in any serious music collection. An absolute must have!

Updated: 12/09/2020Posted: 05/02/2019

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

IREK WOJTCZAK ~ THE BEES` KNEES SOPOCKA ODESSA 008 (Barcode: 5903292104799) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 Jazz is the Art of the unexpected and unexpected is exactly what the listener will get while listening to this music. Although saxophonist / composer Irek WojtczakFind albums by this artist, a native of the Baltic Tricity, has an established reputation on the contemporary Polish Jazz scene, he certainly does not allow anybody to conveniently put him and his music in a tight niche, which would characterize his music. Constantly developing, probing and expanding his milieu, which over time covered such diverse areas as mainstream Jazz, Jazz-World Fusion, Jazz-Rock Fusion and experimental Free Jazz, Wojtczak with his chameleonic ability to fit in any environment and to do it splendidly, is a superb example of a modern Jazz musician. The music presented here is first and foremost an expression of individual freedom within the boundaries of a collective. The four musicians truly play together here, but at the same time allow each other a lot of individual space. There are clearly defined melodies and chord changes, but the music turns and twists constantly in each and every direction – harmonic, rhythmic and thematic. There are impressive solos, elegant group improvisations and intelligent moves on behalf of all the participants. Wojtczak, who composed all the music herein, is a very liberal leader, which results in collective creativity rather than musical conformity or obedience. The choice of the guitar, rather than piano, as the quartet´s harmonic instrument suits Wojtczak´s music ideally in this case. All that remains is to hop on and enjoy the ride! Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend