Floating World [Original recording remastered, Import]

Jade Warrior | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: Eclectic Discs
• ASIN: B000GB7DNK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,732 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Clouds

2. Mountain Of Fruit And Flowers

3. Waterfall

4. Red Lotus

5. Clouds

6. Rain Flower

7. Easty

8. Monkey Chant

9. Memories Of A Distant Sea

10. Quba

Editorial Reviews

Eclectic Discs are pleased to release the classic albums recorded by the legendary Jade Warrior for Island records between 1974 and 1978. The duo of guitarist Tony Duhig and virtuoso flautist and woodwind player Jon Field were signed to Island records in 1974, following the recent break up of the four piece Jade Warrior (who recorded three albums for Vertigo records between 1970 and 1973). Island founder Chris Blackwell signed the duo upon the recommendation of Steve Winwood, declaring Jade Warrior to be "an ornament to my label". Blackwell gave Duhig and Field access to unlimited studio time to create four albums that were later hailed as instrumental masterpieces, all of which fused ethnic African and far eastern influences with superbly innovative rock guitar playing by Tony Duhig.

Floating World, originally released in 1974, is the band's stunning debut for Island Records and became a personal favourite of label head, Chris Blackwell.

Floating World has been re-mastered from the original master tapes and features extensive liner notes, deluxe slip case packaging and fully restored artwork.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Synthesizes cool jazz, world music, minimalism, and heavy prog rock, October 22, 2006

By 

Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Floating World (Audio CD)

Released in 1974 this is certainly one of the more interesting albums I have come across. Largely the product of a collaboration between Jon Field and Tony Duhig, the music on this album is an interesting synthesis of cool jazz, world music, some minimalism, and a bit of heavy prog rock. I actually like this combination very much and find that the group fits neatly under the progressive umbrella - which seems to get larger with every new band I discover.

The core musicians on this album include Jon Field (harp, gong, glockenspiel, vibes,alto/concert and Japanese flutes, conga drums, bell tree, African talking drum, cello, piano, Hammond organ, and acoustic guitar); Tony Duhig (acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, piano, glockenspiel, Hammond organ, and vibes). Supporting them are the Orpington Junior Girls Choir; Coldridge Good (string bass); Chris Carran and Graham Deacon (drums); David Duhig (electric guitar); Skaila Kanga (harp); and Martha Mdenge (spoken words on Quba). While all of the musicians are very good, there is not a lot of grandstanding, although it is fun to hear them rock out every so often with the electric instruments.

The ten tracks are fairly short, but seem to flow together into one large suite of sorts. In general, the music ranges from quiet and meditative passages played on acoustic instruments such as flutes, acoustic guitars and a suite of percussion instruments to heavy proggy sections complete with thunderous drum parts and heavily distorted (ear splitting) electric guitars. The combination works very well and makes for an exceptionally interesting listen. There are also some very nice spacey passages too (Clouds and Rainflower are great examples of this) that provide nice contrast.

All in all, Jade Warrior is an exceptional prog band that is criminally underappreciated. Floating World is very highly recommended along with Waves (1975); Kites (1976); and Way of the Sun (1978). All four albums can be purchased at one time on the 1995 compilation Elements: The Island Anthology. Although it is out of print and pretty expensive even used, it is still cheaper than buying all four remastered albums.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pre-new age, pre-electronica still sounds great, March 15, 2003

By 

G. C. Todd "GCT" (Memphis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Floating World (Audio CD)

A great find. Snatch it up if you like interesting instrumental sounds that defy easy categorization. Elements is a better find as it collects 4 Jade Warrior lps on 2 cds; but they are all worth seeking out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As a remastered version it earns a lot!!, March 12, 2003

By 

Lethe "lor68" (Milan, Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Floating World (Audio CD)

Well it's difficult to add something diverse, in comparison to such several opinions about this album with exotic moods, relaxing and pleasant atmospheres, almost in the vein of modern New-Age ... the elegant and distinctive sound of such Duhig brothers' guitars and the support of a pleasant flute as well, make this classic an original chapter of instrumental progressive rock, characterized also by some interesting breaks through,plus some stunning and heavy riffs, which earn a lot within this remastered version!

I suggest this odd work to you,which is not a masterpiece but is always enjoyable ...