Customer Reviews

Forty Reasons

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

 

 

This is really an Allan Holdsworth album (at least harmonically and melodically) - his signature is all the way through it which is no bad thing.

It's a shame it's so obscure because it's full of interesting music. Two thirds is structured and about a third is free-form improvisation. I don't care for the latter (hence the 4 stars) - it works better for me when incorporated into a composition, c.f. 'All our yesterdays' off Holdsworth's 'Atavachron' album.

All the musicians seem to be enjoying themselves. The organ is a nice departure for the Holdsworth band sound. In one track, Johnson pulls off a beautiful fretless solo - my favourite out of his numerous features on Holdsworth tunes.

For me, the standout track is 'Hidden Places' with its slowly building, maze-like intro, cathartic drumming and then triumphant introduction of the band. Holdsworth guitar gives an alarming exclamation over Johnson's cavernous bass. Holdsworth goes onto to give a standout solo of his recorded career: economic, emotional, diatonic and spacious.

If you like any of the musicians that appear on this record, buy this album. (They did another one but that's even more obscure and appears to have disappeared.)

plain and simple this is an amazing cd from start to finish. chad covers all styles and plays them flawless. he also knows how to put a great gruop together as well. i will agree that this is a holdsworth "showcase" in many respects but it also has some of his best playing in years and he is just restrained enough to not lose the listener, this is a must have for any serious jazz/fusion fan. anyone claiming this is muzak is deaf and should stick to there kenny g cd's.

Please read "A hidden gem" review. Someone has written a great review expressing very similar thoughts to mine about this surprisingly good album. (I stumbled upon it in a $2 sale bin - what joy finding this gem amongst the trash)

What I wished to add to the review, "A hidden gem" was the recording quality is quite striking. I have a entry level audio setup - Denon amp, NAD CD player and Acoustic research speakers. I use this album particularly, the track "Hidden places" to demonstrate a great drum audiophile recording. I also happen to think this is the stand out track and up there with my favourite Holdsworth tracks.

There is also a texture and a distortion on Holdworth's guitar sound that is quite unique to this album.

If you like fusion/jazz-rock then this album is indeed a hidden gem.

This project has a great four piece lineup of Chad with Allan Holdsworth, Jim Cox and Jimmy Johnson recorded at Capitol Studios in 1991.

I bought this album about two years ago, and I like listening to it even today. I have been listening to Fusion Jazz since the mid 70's. From my side I like the overall composition of this album.
As to Chad Wackerman, I think he is one of the best drummers around, not to forget Alan Holdsworth.

This beautiful-sounding, deeply emotive record is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in modern electric jazz/fusion.

Holdsworth is one of a kind on the guitar: no one has that combination of musical depth and virtually superhuman technique. The playing is scarcely believable. There is a great feast of Holdsworth here; no serious student of the guitar should be without this or another representative Holdsworth album (eg. the solo albums or perhaps the Bruford albums).

The drumming is first rate. Wackerman brings his trademark precision, musicality and excellent sound. Jimmy Johnson is also on top form; his solo on Quiet Life is great. The keyboards are also fantastic.

Very highly recommended!

I bought this CD because Alan Holdsworth plays guitar on it, and there's no denying he's one of the best. However, this is the classic result of pairing great "guests" on a jazz musician's album: It is the equivalent of elevator fusion. Musak. Not a moment of excitement or passion, just great musicians twiddling around. I was surprised that, after a couple of songs, they didn't ask themselves "what are we doing?" and just stop playing out of sheer boredom. One of those handfulls of CD's I've tried to listen to a couple of times and finally shelved away for good.

I gave it 2 stars because the sound quality is good and some poeple may find it relaxing.