The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

groovy jazz funk rock (fusion?)

Moods

Crack open a can of that smooth 70s groove

Thoughts

polished and slick fusion that's pretty straightforward rock at times. Lots of brass and 70s funk licks. A little too slick and jazzy at times for me to call it a record I love (that might be one of my problems with fusion is that it sits in the middle) but I can dig this groove, that drummer is so in the pocket it's ridiculous.

Love some parts – keys solo on Georgia cottonfield. The chilled out funk on so far away, an album highlight.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Crusaders-Crusaders-1/release/2447492

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J84IiZ6WfGI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OahE2GGaGq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGlEvEtbuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXsPUB-Qf0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSp5gcFf9w

Spotify


Schema Info

The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

Description: Album Review of The Crusaders – Crusaders 1


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

tight keys driven funky soul jazz rock

Moods

Groover

Thoughts

Real good keys playing, dude lays it down. Like the rest of the atmosphere though wish he would breakup the super tight and quick keys playing into something chiller at times (kind of happens on let's stay together but it's a little to direct, I appreciate his loose-r approach when it feels like he's just letting the scales fly).

Overall this works with the rest of the band laying down groovy soulful tight jams. Feels like a record that would translate well to fans of modern jam bands.

On repeat listens I really only like the first half as the similar and quite busy playing started to get fatiguing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Ronnie-Foster-Two-Headed-Freap/release/7659623

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul08TkjnuEo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWHH5j-iOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWp6ngco92c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhhpMvmCTtw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Y9MDo5Tc0

Spotify


Schema Info

Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap

Description: Album Review of Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Hot Tuna – Burgers

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

rocking country/folk

Moods

Outside folksy sing along

Thoughts

I appreciate moments of this especially when songs are more bluesy than folksy.

Overall too hokey even with the fantastic musicianship.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Hot-Tuna-Burgers/release/10167287

Listen!

Spotify


Schema Info

Hot Tuna – Burgers

Description: Album Review of Hot Tuna – Burgers


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Terry Riley – Happy Ending

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
Distinctive Terry Riley

side 1: solo keys
side 2: sax takes focus and organ raises

Thoughts
Two very different halves in explorations of minimalism. The keys in journey from the death of a friend is an engaging solo work of Terry riley though it doesn’t cover a lot of ground or offer much to revisit.

Happy ending, side 2, is a prime piece of spiritual jazz with a consistent sax line that’s contrasted against a set of keys and pianos. It changes shape successfully, conjuring up an array of emotions before building to joy when the piano kicks in at the end.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Terry-Riley-Happy-Ending/release/264527

Listen!

Youtube

Spotify

Schema Info

Terry Riley – Happy Ending

Description: Album Review of Terry Riley – Happy Ending


Rating: 3 out of 5