Customer Reviews

Back in Time

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you owned JBU's Odyssee on Columbia back in 1983, you will be more than pleasantly surprised at this reunion album- you'll be astonished. Warren Benbow (drums) and Charles Burnham (violin) are back after a 23 year hiatus, which timewise seems forever, but this trio picks up like they've never been apart.

Every track is strong. What I find so amazing is that a trio of drums, guitar and violin sounds so full and beautiful. This is as good, or maybe a tad better than their 1983 release. Also of note is that James Blood Ulmer considers this a full fledged band, hence the title "Back in Time" by the Odyssey Band (no JBU as the stand-out; he's just another member of this critically important group).

I know Mr. Ulmer has been exploring the blues with great success of late (thanks in part to Vernon Reid), and hopefully has won him over new fans. Now with The Odyssey Band on the shelves, how about a Black Rock reunion with Amin Ali (bass) and Grant Calvin Weston (drums)? Another ground breaking trio that changed my life one spring day at the now defunct Lonestar Cafe in the Village.

God Bless James "Blood" Ulmer- a guitar talent like no other!

Five IMPRESSIVE Stars!! Famed jazz/blues star James Blood Ulmer is joined in this organic blues and jazz trio by the amazing Charles Burnham on violin, and the hot melodic drumming of Warren Benbow. The effective mixture of basic blues and harmolodic jazz complexities is on full display as the group takes us "back in time" and out into the future of the blues. This is Mr Ulmer's first recording since the highly acclaimed solo recording "Birthright".

The 'Pieces De Resistance', the best of the best, begin with the stark simplicity of "Little Red House", a real trip `back in time' and 'back to basics' with Ulmer effectively singing us some real basic blues memories. The cross-current blues complexities of "Last One" and the yearning "Open Doors" with it's six note percussive underpinning and seven note theme take the music into different areas: Charles Burnham's violin is totally on fire. The fact that there is no bass is no problem as this group generated it's own internal bass propulsion from each member, case in point, "Love Nest" with the bass drum pushing the pulse along. Very electric, very bluesy, very great performances. Highly Recommended. Five BLUE Stars!!

I still love the first Odyssey album. This does a nice job of revisiting the sound, and the three members play together with an amazing tightness. But I don't really hear anything new here, and the electric effects on the violin get a little annoying after a while. Ulmer doesn't take any extended soloes. For something more current, check out Ulmer's recent blues albums, that's where his energy is going these days.