Customer Reviews

Jan Akkerman

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

 

 

Somehow -- the details are forever lost -- I managed to hear a cut from this album ("Streetwalker") when it first came out. Summer of 1978. Living in Massachusetts when radio when still adventurous. I bought a copy as soon as I could get my hands on one. When I moved to Wisconsin that fall, the album became a conversation-stopper whenever I played it for friends. Not just the music, but the Focus/"Hocus Pocus" connection. (Most everyone thought I was joking at first.) Thirty years later, I still listen to this album on a weekly basis. It's the disc that kick-starts every Friday morning at work. It will never grow old.

A landmark album mixing fusion, disco, rock, prog, jazz, etc into an inspired, enthralling 45 minutes. Amazing guitar. Lush strings. Stunning keyboards. A hot rhythm section. Some guy named Neppy on assorted percussion--and he makes a huge impression throughout. You have nothing else like this in your collection. Truly a must-have.

This album stands out as the best ever by Akkerman, IMO.
The song "Streetwalker" is a fusion anthem that sounds
as fresh today as it did in the '70s. All of the tunes
are outstanding and the cover art is a classic as well.
Highly recommended for those who cherish guitar fusion.

From 3 to 4 stars (according to the "mood" of the album) I should say - talking about its evaluation- that's the right score, cause the output is a little bit uneven, even though the best guitar style by this former Focus member is often able to emerge...well first of all it stands out alone as a unique "Akkerman's trademark", regarding of the maturity reached here, but it represents also a personal music style of his own!!

In particular the track "Streetwalker" and "Crackers" are the best example, but also the other tunes contain some good features, in spite of the light and too much relaxed mood, in comparison to the strong "fusion" experimentations at the guitar of the period...think of the powerful style concerning some other similar guitarists in the seventies (for example Jeff Beck for instance, or G. Moore in the Colosseum II experience).

Talking about the defects inside, I don't like the Akkerman music approach, being a little bit "cold" and characterized by a few emotions; nevertheless- despite the dated orchestrations- it's an interesting product, with its typical strengths and weaknesses (as within the best Dutch progressive/fusion albums) and something else, according to the artistic direction I've often seen in the works by Gong (note: such a strange and hybrid music-genre, in the middle between the Canterburian style and a kind of Chamber music, according to the early After Crying, but in an easier version).

Anyway this is probably the best album by J. Akkerman and it could be enough to evaluate the present work sometimes as good as the best fusion/Canterburian works outside Holland (especially in the UK)...so make your personal choice!!

Nearly every cut a 5-Star on my iPod. It's been said of Akkerman: "A musician of nearly legendary prowess, Jan Akkerman for a time eclipsed Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck among reader polls in England as the top guitarist in the world." - allmusic.com
and as an 'album-work'; skillfully brilliant.

i have been familiar with this recording for many years, and it is great having it back in my collection
a search opportunity like amazon is a real plus for a buyer like me.
....so far, the experience with amazon and it's vendors is positive

akkerman works with melody and fine production on this recording for it's time

Jan Akkerman was - and still is - one of the best fusion-jazz guitarist around. If this album was produced right now - in 2009 - it would be a hot seller. That is how good it is. I love his sound on this album.

Perhaps Jan Akkerman's (of Focus fame) best work. This album from 1977 is an upbeat jazz/rock fusion masterpiece. It definitely holds up to the test of time, and is consistent throughout with an innovative set of songs from start to finish. On this disc, Akkerman has put together a stellar group of studio musicians. Jan Akkerman has produced many albums and toured extensively over the years, yet he remains one of the the most underrated guitarists around. Listening to this disc, you can get up and move, or just kick back, enjoy, and relax.

One of the best examples of 70's jazz/rock fused together. Crackers and Streetwalker cuts alone worth the price of admission. Anyone got this available on CD I'd be interested.