Record Reviews

	FAMILY ~ FEARLESS (EXPANDED EDITION) MYSTIC 172 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 6th album (recorded 1971), considered by many to be their best album (although everything they did is best) it features John Wetton on bass, who brings virtuoso pulsating bass as a steady anchor upon which the rest of the band can really fly. Great songwriting, singing and playing all the way - a true Prog classic album!
	CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

FAMILY ~ FEARLESS / LIVE BGO 855 (Barcode: 5017261208552) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009 6th album and an album compiling live material recorded at the same period by the fantastic British Prog band FamilyFind albums by this artist, one of the most imaginative, sophisticated and excellent bands of the 1970s. Following the release of the 5th album, a compilation / remix release entitled "Old Songs New SongsFind albums with this title", bassist John WeiderFind albums by this artist left the band to be replaced by John WettonFind albums by this artist, who not only supplied some of his great bass pulsations but also added his excellent vocals to the group´s arsenal. Family were at that time at the absolute peak of their artistic powers, both in the studio and on stage, as beautifully documented by these two albums. Roger ChapmanFind albums by this artist´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 two albums: "FearlessFind albums with this title" (included here) and the next studio album "BandstandFind albums with this title". The "LiveFind albums with this title" album, released for the first time as late as 2003, is the only live album by the band, except for the 4 live tracks on "Anyway...Find albums with this title". 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

ROLF KUHN ~ FEARLESS MPS 4029759201830 (Barcode: 4029759201830) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is the last album by German Jazz icon, clarinetist / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded in July 2022, just a couple of months before his passing in August 2022. The music was recorded with his last quartet, which included German pianist Frank ChastenierFind albums by this artist, bassist Lisa WulffFind albums by this artist, and Columbian drummer Tupac MantillaFind albums by this artist, the same lineup that recorded the previous album “Yellow + BlueFind albums with this title” four years earlier. The Cuareim String QuartetFind albums by this artist performs the string arrangements, added on several tracks, which were recorded posthumously. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Kuhn and three are arrangements of standards. The album offers a stunning sound quality. Despite the fact that Kuhn was ninety-two years old when this music was recorded, his capability, articulation and general Genius was stronger than most other Jazz musicians in Europe, or even worldwide, at the time. His fascinating and immensely productive career is a testament of his talents, which definitely makes him one of the most important European Jazz musicians of all time, and I count myself extremely lucky having the opportunity to know him closely and hearing him performing live many times. Talking to him was like reading a book about Jazz and beyond and I truly miss him very much. The music is, not surprisingly, absolutely exquisite, presenting a delicate and perfectly balanced mixture of tradition and modernism, with the three standards serving as reference points to the romantic side of Kuhn’s clarinet playing, and his original compositions, which are cleverly avant-garde, without sounding like it, offer his incredible forward-thinking approach. His clarinet vocabulary is completely unparalleled, which of course every European Jazz listener knows already, and this particular quartet setting serves as an ideal vehicle to express his genius in full. I have been waiting eagerly for this album, knowing about the recording at the time it was made, and the delay was unnerving. The decision to add the string arrangements, although with only marginal effect of the album as a whole, is also somewhat questionable, and I wonder if Kuhn would have approved of it, although he loved and used string arrangements in his earlier recordings. Overall, this is a breathtaking, monumental album, which offers a superb last chord, a finale of the long and astounding career of Rolf Kuhn – truly fearless Genius.

Updated: 21/03/2025Posted: 21/03/2025

CD 1 Digipak Essential Recommend To A Friend