Customer Reviews

Floating World

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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 ...

Among the most neglected bands in history, and during the brief ISLAND record label years, one of the most progressive for their time...
FLOATING WORLD, WAVES, KITES and WAY OF THE SUN..... I used to listen to these 4 albums (the pinnacle of Jade Warrior production) But in the 70's the LP pressings were not ideal, even the expensive imports had noisy grooves. Recently I discovered these unique treasures were remastered by ECLECTIC. They have all the full sound and separation of those originals -- sans snap, crackle and pop. Thank God.

Good liner notes as well.

For the newcomer, here's who they are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Warrior_(band)

My original copies of "Floating World", "Waves", "Kites" & "Way Of The Sun" are among my most treasured possessions. Outstanding musicianship...meticulous recording...Jade Warrior delivers. I've collected pretty much every JW recording...from their debut (cool in its own way) all the way through several post-Tony Duhig recordings....but these four are key to the enjoyment of Jade Warrior. Well-worth seeking out.

To the novice, this is the Jade Warrior album to start with. It is newly remastered by Esoteric and although it's almost obligatory to talk of greater clarity and depth in sound, this time the remastering really does leap out of the speakers.

Jade Warrior made a peerless run of four albums for Island between 1974 and 1978, of which this was the first. Formerly vocal orientated, the band became an instrumental duo at the behest of Island boss Chris Blackwell. It was the right decision, for this is music beyond words. This was also music quite outside of its own time, and could have been made for these days of perfect sound reproduction. It is all instrumental, features a stunning array of natural sound colours, eked out of real instruments rather than synthesizers and keyboards, there is a woody, organic feeling to everything here.

The Field/Duhig duo were masters of a number of instruments, more importantly perhaps, getting instruments to what they wanted them to do, Jade Warrior's was a uniquely identifiable sound and it carries through the entirety of their Island catalogue to make the four albums a unique and satisfying whole.

The 36 minutes of intense music presented here consists of 10 titles, but to pick any of them in isolation would be to miss the point. It needs to be heard in full so as to fully appreciate the range and juxtaposition of moods and textures. This is a richly rewarding listening experience, bursting with sumptuously recorded instruments.

There is a dynamic range on show here which must have made the mixing process a nightmare. There are sounds so soft your ears strain to hear them, interrupted by gong blasts and riffs loud enough to pin you to your seat. Background music this is not. The sheer scale and ambition of this work is all the more remarkable for the extent to which they achieved it, and the difficult circumstances in which they had to work.

Jade Warrior really defy categorisation, like all the best music should, but if you appreciate immaculately played and recorded instrumental work, this is one classic you should own. They should have been the next Mike Oldfield.

This may sound repetitious but I must accredit yet another Jade Warrior album with a five star rating - for musical brilliance, diversity,& originality.
"Floating World" is the first of Jade Warrior's 'island era' albums & represents a transition to highly refined & highly inspired instrumental music.
By the time of this release, 1974, the band reduced to only the two founding members - Tony Duhig & Jon Field. Originally Tony played guitars, & Jon played flute & percussion, but for this & future albums they diversified hugely, with both artists playing several additional instruments, & there are also guest musicians providing extra instrumentation.
The brief [one minute] opening track "Clouds" creates a vivid impression of - clouds, & even makes use of a girls choir. Then "Mountain of Fruit & Flowers" has some fine jazzy bass, flute, & acoustic guitar creating more vivid imagery, but with jazz fusion overtones.
"Waterfall" is a beautiful, dreamy number with sweet electric guitar leads & an ingenious percussion solo at the end with a Japanese flute. The stunning contrast of the next track "Red Lotus" is typical of Jade Warrior. This number rocks, with electric guitar in a hard rocking [though oriental sounding] style, plus flute & oriental gongs.
Another segment of "Clouds" follows, then another beautiful guitar piece "Rain Flower". Next "Easty" features cool jazz flutes harmonizing with electric guitar.
Those familiar with the Balinese 'Ketjak' dance may find parallels with "Monkey Chant". But wait till you hear this tribal chant combined with a wild blast of electric guitar from Dave Duhig [Tony's brother]. It seems like an outrageous concept but it blends together well, & it sounds unreal.

The "Waterfall" track is beautiful indeed, but for me ,even more beautiful is "Memories of a Distant Sea", with harp, flute, & a synthesizer sounding halfway between a clarinet & an oboe. This brief but very visual piece is like a prelude to the next album, the 1975 masterpiece "Waves".
The music finally drifts into "Quba" which has a female voice speaking in an exotic African language, a fitting climax.
Whilst "Waves" & "Way of the Sun" might be instantly likeable with their continuous themes it may take a little time to settle into "Floating World", but it is an amazing recording, & very collectable. Another fine album by Jade Warrior.

Oh you've got to be kidding me! Only a small amount of reviews for mid 70's Jade Warrior? This is CLASSIC stuff! This is a band that plays a kind of instrumental music that is *truly* adventurous, unlike all those new bands that claim to take your mind places only to end up disappointing the listener with generic modern progressive rock.

No no, Floating World is the kind of album that ALL Caravan, Camel, Genesis, King Crimson and Jethro Tull fans need to hear.

The most amazing thing about Jade Warrior is the way their music takes me to different continents across the world. Most bands aren't able to take my mind to faraway places *this* well. This band feels absolutely authentic. The real deal. But sadly, not many people are aware of them.

Anyone who appreciates the Camel classic The Snow Goose will LOVE this. The Asian vibes are unbelievably strong and constantly present throughout the album, with dazzling flute and acoustic work. That's just a TINY example what's in store for any listener awesome enough to check out this album.

Jade Warrior is the kind of band where you really believe the band members were in a special state of mind to create music this powerful. Please give this album a listen as soon as possible and I *guarantee* you'll be happy you did.

This album and "Way of the Sun" are my favorite Jade Warrior albums. Another is the great quartet of mood pieces as mentioned in the other reviews. You have to sit and listen to appreciate it, not for the casual listener. "Waterfall" is a great instrumental in the mold of, but not copying Peter Green's "Albatross". I have made cds of my favortie instrumentals and Waterfall and Death of Ra (on JW's "Way of the Sun") definatly make my list. I recommend this album if you like great conceptual instrumental albums with many diverse instruments. Sound great on a good stereo.