Customer Reviews

Catching The Sun

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The follow up to "Morning Dance", Spyro Gyra essentially finished what they started with this one. They chose a good combination of both slow and fast melodic, catchy jazz-fusion tunes that are pure pleasure to listen to. The songs "Lovin' You" and "Safari" are terrific upbeat songs that really show the talents that these guys have.

Even decades later, these songs still sound just as good. The ultimate in contemporary jazz.

I don't know what it is about most people that like, for instance, 80's music in the 80's, but when they hear it in the 90's make ludicrous comments like, "I don't like that. It's so 80's." Well, if you're among that kind, do not buy this CD. If you like a groovin' 70's sound with consummate jazz flavorings, pick this up.

I've grown less infatuated with Spyro Gyra in recent years because they seem to have grown more generic (though not to single them out -- which is the point: they don't sound much different than most other jazz groups anymore). They seem to lack the freshness and musical exploration that this CD is full of. Their is not a track occupying this album that won't fit your groove if you like the 70's flavor jazz highlighted not only with funky synthetic sounds, but laced with beautiful acoustic stuff like the trombone (an underused and underrated jazz solo instrument) solo in "Philly."

Frankly, I like the Alto Sax as an instrument, but I think it's been entirely run into the ground as a jazz feature, and Spyro Gyra has grown guilty of that I'm sorry to say, and I'm just surfeited with the instrument to the point of nausea. This album avoids that to a degree today's albums don't, and is nicely refreshing, relaxing, but also groovin'.

This is probably my favorite SG album, though they do have some newer albums I like (like Point of View) and newer songs (like "Bright Lights" off of Fast Forward). But for freshness, adventurousness, and good grooves, this is the album. If you're not a Spyro Gyra fan having heard their newer stuff, take a listen to the excerpts available here and judge for yourself. If you're a funk flavored jazz lover, this is probably the CD for you.

As a follow up to the hugely successful crossover hit album, Morning Dance, Catching The Sun extends the concepts started on Morning Dance. As a thematic album, it's one of the best things ever done in the genre. Each song flows so well with the album concept. This album contains some of Spyro's best tunes ever including the title cut, Percolator and the best ballad the band has ever done, Autumn Of Our Love. Simply put the contempory jazz genre didn't get much better than this.

This too is to augment my collection. I like this album because of "Here Again" which is my favorite Spyro Gyra song. Even more so than "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance".

I first bought this when it was originially released on record all those years ago, it didn't disapoint and within moments of playing the first track all of that bright feel good factor came flooding back.It is one of my fav albums from the past 30 years, full of jazz fusion passion, that gets your feet and heart moving, if you havent heard this before but like the overal style of Spyro Gyra as a band then you will not be dispointed, certainly one of their best albums by far period!

Spyro Gyra's 1980 release "Catching The Sun" could be heard blaring from radios, record and electronic stores all over Lagos back in the day, when it first came out. You didn't have to be a jazz fan to love it. After years of playing it close to death on vinyl, this is another one I finally got round to getting on CD.

I personally feel these were the best days of saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and his band of merry men. They were certainly my favourite days, with this album alongside other classics like Freetime, Incognito, Alternating Currents, Breakout, Point of View and their great live album, Access All Areas. (A lot of Spyro Gyra fans have love for Morning Dance but I don't. I find the versions of "Morning Dance" and "Heliopolis" on "Access All Areas" so much more satisfying and none of the other tunes on the album appeal to me at all).

Anyway, then came the 90s, the band line-up started to change and they kind of disappeared off my radar. I eventually summoned up the courage to buy 1999's Got the Magic but I've regretted it ever since and have yet to try any other of their newer releases. I doubt I ever will.

My favourite tunes on here remain the title track (I've now got a digitally remastered version, according to the CD cover), "Cockatoo", "Autumn Of Our Love", "Laser Material", "Here Again" and "Safari".

Classic 80s jazz-fusion. For me, this album is pure nostalgia!

Please be aware that this "import" CD Catching the Sun is actually out of Canada and is on Unidisc Music Inc's label!!!

While Unidisc has some hard to find CD's, notably 70's & 80's dance music artists, sound quality isn't One of their strong points. If you're ever listened to a Unidisc CD you'd very quickly "hear" what I'm talking about. Their CD's tend to sound flat, thin, and lacks range & space. This CD is no different. I've a few Unidiscs titles myself - Musique's Keep on Jumping, Gino Soccio's Outline, the Best Of Voyage to name a few so It's not like I don't have a clue.

If you're looking for the Import versions of these CD's, look Japan or Europe.... not Unidisc of Canada. And this CD does not sound any better than the "American" release.

Sorry

BTW this review also applies to the Unidisc version of Morning Dance as well.

3 stars for sound quality

5 for the Music itself.

This album was the follow up to the highly successful album, Morning dance. Unfortunately, it is not as good as MD. It's got some good moments, but overall, it just didn't touch me like they usually do. Catching the Sun is such a good song, you'd think the album would be better, but it never grabbed me. Many people will argue this with me, but just have my opinion about this album. it's got some nice hooks, some nice drum beats, but just doesn;t have that spark. However, I do enjoy listening to it from time to time. Just not a lot.

These guys really feed very well off of each other on this CD. The stylings are primarilly jazz but there are some rock elements as well. Saxaphones, trumpets, guitars, keyboards, it has it all. It does not quite make a five because some of themes are not too memorable. But I tell you, these guys sure can play their instruments.

I absolutely ADORE this CD. If you love jazz as much as I do, then you MUST have this in your collection. ENOUGH SAID!