Customer Reviews

Mind Transplant

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

 

 

This is the runner-up to Cobham's famous "Spectrum" album in the heavyweight championship of 1970s fusion drumming & in some ways it's even better. Granted, Mouzon does not play half as many odd-meters as Cobham (who was the ultimate master of odds along with Bill Bruford), but there's something wilder & more greasy about Mouzon's deep smacking grooves, solos & ultra-fast fills that puts things really over-the-top. The Tommy Bolin jams are fantastic--the slow-burn grooves like Golden Rainbows & Snowbound custom-made for cruising & the scorching "Nitroglycerine" for more spaztic moods--but for me "Ascorbic Acid" with Lee Ritenour is the ultimate track on here, the one to use to blow people completely away. Anyone asks you who the fastest drummer in the world is & even mentions someone like Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith or Neal Peart, just play them that track & watch them shut-up real quick! It just smokes them into complete awed submission & after that there might be discussions about other aspects of what makes a great drummer but arguments about speed are history.

So, it would have to naturally follow from the strong, enthusiastic words written above that in the pantheon of 'greatest ever fusion albums with plenty of wailing electric guitar,' "Mind Transplant" would have to rate at around number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine............. Here's the rest of my list in case fusion fanatics are interested:

1. Mahavishnu - Cleveland 1972
2. Mahavishnu - The Inner Mounting Flame
3. Mahavishnu - Birds of Fire
4. Mahavishnu - Between Nothingness & Eternity
5. Mahavishnu - Lost Trident Sessions
6. Billy Cobham - Spectrum
7. Nova - Blink
6. Bill Bruford - One of A Kind
7. Brand X - Livestock
8. Jean-Luc Ponty - Enigmatic Ocean
9. Alphonse Mouzon - "Mind Transplant"
10.John Abercrombie - Timeless
11. Bill Bruford - Gradually Going Tornado
12. Secret Oyster - Straight to the Krankenhaus
13. Alan Holdsworth I.O.U.
14. Lenny White - Adventures of Astral Pirates
15. Larry Coryell - Barefoot Boy
16. Brand X - Unorthodox Behaviour
17. Soft Machine - "Softs"
18. Eleventh House with Larry Coryell
19. Bill Bruford - Feels Good To Me
20. Colosseum - Electric Savage

You know something? I really wanted to like this album. I had listened to Billy Cobham's "Spectrum" hundreds of times and been amazed by the kinetic energy and dynamic interplay between all the performers and of Billy's unnerving facility for both assymetry and raw funk in his drum patterns.
I longed for an album in a similar vein that could galvanize me even half as much as "Spectrum" could, so I'd done my research and discovered that "Mind Transplant" was considered to be Alphonse Mouzon's finest album, as well as one that was usually mentioned in the same breath as "Spectrum" by avid fusion fans.
Maybe my high expectations would only fuel potential disappointment in regards to "Mind Transplant" because I'm afraid that in my view, it falls well short of the mark.
In terms of the sound quality itself, the album sounds like it has been recorded under a wet blanket. This I can't understand, considering the numerous boasts about the superior sound quality and the recent remastering.
Compositionally, the tracks on the album are often just plain weak. The title track starts off well, and then at "1:40" the guitars commence a 6-note riff that is repeated incessantly... infuriatingly... without variation until the song's finish (2 1/2 minutes later!). I find this bridge section so strident and grating now, I have to skip forward to "Snowbound" to prevent the early onset of neurasthenia.
Much has been made of Tommy Bolin's involvement in "Mind Transplant" by Bolin aficionados, but those people familiar with his work as I am will be aware that far from being a genuinely improvisational musician, Tommy tends to have a gamut of stock pentatonic licks that he recycles in different forms. Such is the case here (compare the solo on "Golden Rainbows" to his solo on "Stratus"... see what I mean?).
I was also a bit disappointed with the actual running time of "Mind Transplant" too, which in this current Blue-Note re-release clocks in at just over 33 minutes. I had read earlier that when Rhino did a re-release in the early-90s, they had added a 15-minute long track entitled "The Real Thing" on the album's end. Unfortunately, that track is nowhere in evidence here.
Having got those gripes out of the way, I have to say that there is much to enjoy on the album. Alphonse's drumming is tight, precise and energizing, Jerry Peter's organ playing is fine and "Golden Rainbows" - with its haunting melodies and all-round ambience -goes some way towards redeeming earlier disappointments. However, despite the fine level of musicianship displayed by most, compositionally the album simply isn't as strong. (I would give the album 3 1/2 stars if I was allowed to!)

SOme of the best guitar work ever laid down on vinyl. This CD features the late great Tommy Bolin (RIP). I first heard tracks from this LP years ago when two tracks appeared on a retrospective of Tommy Bolin. I was hooked and went and bought the CD. Just superb. Recommended for those people who loves guitars that speak without talking.

....for me, there is no getting around the fact that AM's 'Mind Transplant' was his way of saying, "Hey, Cobham and Lenny aren't the only dudes that can Lay-it-down Funky, Greasy, and (maybe most important) VERY FAST!" When I scrolled through the other reviews written, I almost found myself getting irritated by the constant mention of this album alongside Cobham's 'Spectrum',,,,,but you know what?, now I am in complete agreeance after listening to 'Mind Transplant' again recently....especially considering 'Spectrum' had been out for over a year before this was released.

There are several things that I believe everyone can agree on concerning this album; the musicians that contribute to the tunes are ALL absolutely super-talented and have a special chemistry here. There is no questioning Mr. Mouzon's technical abilities, as well as his ability to lay down greasy, funky grooves when needed----and, straight-up high-speed fushion jams. The compisitions found on 'MT' are all well written fushion tunes (did his WIFE compose these songs!?!) that anyone who digs MO, RTF, early Jeff Beck and the like, should have a field day with. So how do I like it? Well, its right up my alley as to real-deal, high intensity fusion and I rate it with 4 solid stars.

Although I like 'MT' and rate it highly among my jazz-rock collection, I don't place it quite on the level of 'Spectrum' and others....here's why; Above all else, this album seems very contrived. Whereas 'Spectrum' was very Fresh and Inventive in its compositions and overall feel, 'MindTransplant' feels like it was produced mostly out of the competition that exsisted between several of the "Key" Fusion players....to this day, I believe that there is, at least, a hint of animosity that exists between guys like Lenny, Billy and Alphonse (and lets face it....most of these "Key" players couldn't help but to be influenced by Cobham---and rightly so!). Alphonse's drum sound and technique sounded suspiciously like Cobhams as well....he was arguably as proficient around the top-end of the kit as anybody, unfortunately, he seemed to struggle on the bottom end (i.e. double bass)----listen to the last minute or so of 'Nitro Glycerin' for a sample of double bass sloppiness. I could also pick out what band/ artist the Mouzon's seem to borrow for just about every song on 'MT'----Chick Corea/RTF, Herbie and Headhunters, and, of course, MO and Cobham. Even the song 'Some of the Things People Do', Which I thought to be original sounding at first, might well have come from EWF, The Spinners, Et Al. One thing I will say is That guitarist Lee Ritenour who was one of 3 guitarists on this recording must have been influenced from his work on this session....his early solo works sound very similar to some of the compositions here (especially Title track).

To set the record straight, I am by no means "bashing" Alphonse or 'Mind Transplant'....it is a Killer record with lots of energy, BUT, when people say this is better than 'Spectrum', I have to put in my 2-cents. As matter of fact, Cobham exceeded his debut with his sophmore effort, 'Crosswinds'. Bottom line is this is an inspired album with top-notch players and memorable tunes that I would steer any jazz/rock/fusion fan towards....get it while you can!

Many fans who have heard this remarkable album liken it to Billy Cobhams' SPECTRUM album. The reason is that both artists used the same guitarist, TOMMY BOLIN. Bolin really stretches out here, especially on the tracks GOLDEN RAINBOWS and NITROGLYCERIN, making it worth the price of admission for these two tunes alone. But the quality does'nt end with these as the entire album bristles with quality music through out. A true fan of the genre wouldnt go wrong here and for those who are just music lovers in general--it is well worth your while.

This is a great recording,packaging,and line-up. I really think this music is some of the best fusion of the 70's. Every song takes you on a journey.It's one of those "every song is good" cd's. Thanks Alphonse and Amazon.....E.Raymond

I own this record and there are several great sonGs on it. Tommy Bolin(a great guitarist who also played with Deep Purple) is one of 2 guitarists on it. The style ranges from song to song but there are both excellent fast paced and slow atmospheric songs. Mouzon's drumming is also excellent on it. I've never heard a jazz record quite like it.

4 Stars = Classic

Fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon released several fusion albums. His most well known work is "Mind Transplant," featuring guitarist Tommy Bolin. While not as ground breaking as seminal work by Mahavishnu Orchestra or Return to Forever, "Mind Transplant was SOLID fusion of the kind I like very much. Alphonse's drumming skills, along with Tommy Bolin's scorching leads made for a very formidable album. Also used to good effect on some songs were keyboard/synthesizer & a little brass here & there. The album was funky, jazzy, rocking, & had that ethereal touch that the best fusion artists were known to embrace.

"Mind Transplant" is a classic piece of fusion history, from an era of great artist stretching their music to the farthest bounds of both musicianship & writing. Actually there were no limits, just more musical ideas to explore. Alphonse was right out there with the rest of the explorers of the outer rim of music.

If you are a real 70s music fan, if you are a drummer, if you like jazz/rock/funk/blaxploitation, do not miss this great album.
Alphonse Mouzon is an earthquake, you can recognize it from the first seconds of the first song.
My favourite song: surely "Ascorbic Acid": it is breathtaking, very fast, a killer song.
I think probably I am the one in Italy who owns this album! Tommy C.

"Mind Transplant" is pure fusion classic. It's a classical recording and is history.
If you are into Fusion and you don't have it you missed something important.
Mouzon's drumming is just breathtaking and just tells the story that Alphonse was the fusion drummer alongside Billy Cobham in the 70s. If you get the chance to check out Alphonse Mouzon live, do it. He has still down everything. THIS MAN AND THIS ALBUM IS HISTORY!